The All Blacks are through to another Rugby World Cup semi-final after an epic showdown between two heavyweights of the international arena in Paris on Saturday night. Ian Foster’s side will march on to face Argentina in Friday’s first last-four contest at the Stade de France after the Pumas sprung a surprise by seeing off Wales in Marseille earlier on.
For Ireland, their World Cup quarter-final hoodoo continues – it is the fourth consecutive tournament in which they’ve been ousted at the last-eight stage and the eighth overall. Many felt that this could finally be their year to lift the Webb Ellis Cup after a Six Nations Grand Slam and dominant pool stage, but they fell to an agonising loss in what we now know was retiring captain Johnny Sexton’s final Test of his illustrious career.
Bundee Aki, Jamison Gibson-Park and a penalty try kept the Men in Green alive in a pulsating showdown, but they eventually fell by just four points as the All Blacks got scores from Leicester Fainga’anuku, Ardie Savea and Will Jordan, plus some crucial penalties from the boots of Richie Mo’unga and Jordie Barrett. Follow Ireland vs New Zealand reaction live below!
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Andy Farrell reaction: Sport can be cruel
“I’m unbelievably proud of the group, everyone that’s been involved over the last couple of years. That was one hell of a game and somebody had to lose – unfortunately it was us tonight.
“Two good teams going at it, fine margins and all that. At the start of the game we coughed up penalties and gave them field position and six points.
“I was so proud of the way we came back and kept attacking them right until the death.
“We’ve had a good run, but sport can be cruel sometimes – I guess that’s why we love it. The way we kept battling shows the character of this side.”
Heartwarming stuff from Sexton Jr to console his tearful Dad as they walk around the pitch after the full-time whistle.
Ireland bids farewell to a true sporting legend tonight – such a shame it has to end like this on such a sour note.
Ireland 24-28 New Zealand
Full-time
The All Blacks march on but for Ireland it’s utter despair.
They exit the Rugby World Cup at the quarter-final stage for the EIGHTH time in total and for the fourth tournament in a row.
They have still never reached a semi-final on the global stage.
New Zealand incredible – the three-time winners now move on to face Argentina in Paris in the first last-four clash on Friday night.
They will be overwhelming favourites to make another final. You can just never, ever write them off.
Ireland 24-28 New Zealand
83 mins: Finally there’s a tired Irish error after an unbelievable 38 phases (yes, you read that correctly) and New Zealand earn the match-clinching breakdown penalty through Whitelock!
They celebrate triumphantly with this game now all but over, save them getting the ball off the pitch after the penalty to invite the final whistle.
Ireland 24-28 New Zealand
83 mins: 35 phases!
Still Ireland go on, midway into the New Zealand 22.
Can they find that all-important last-gasp score?!
Both sides incredibly tired. He won’t want reminding of this, but if Sexton hadn’t missed that very makeable penalty earlier then Ireland could be setting up for a drop goal right now rather than having to hunt a try.
Ireland 24-28 New Zealand
80 mins: Still Ireland have it, moving carefully from side to side and to the edge of the 22 with the clock in the red.
They almost lose the ball, but for a superb clear-out from McCarthy on Savea. Suspicions of a knock-on there as well.
Still we play with Ireland looking for a last-gasp winning try…
Ireland 24-28 New Zealand
79 mins: Ireland are up past 20 phases midway into the All Black half.
It’s now or never…
Ireland 24-28 New Zealand
77 mins: New Zealand have successfully bled so much time off the clock.
But now Ireland do have the ball back!
This is last-chance saloon stuff now… they cannot afford but one mistake.
Ireland 24-28 New Zealand
75 mins: All Black skipper Cane is replaced by Dalton Papalii.
Dave Kilcoyne also into the Ireland front row, replacing Porter.
Beauden Barrett with a very ambitious long-range drop-goal attempt that doesn’t come close.
Ireland 24-28 New Zealand
74 mins: A terrible spill from the usually flawless Doris just about sums up Ireland’s frustrations at the moment.
New Zealand are now keeping the ball as much as possible, trying to wind down the clock with that four-point lead.