The rugby world was rocked, with Ireland winning their first Test against the All Blacks in New Zealand.
A week after being beaten 42-19 at Eden Park, Ireland took the lead through prop Andrew Porter for the second week in a row, but this time around didn’t let it go.
In a controversial and dramatic test under the roof in Dunedin, Ireland won 23-12 to prove they are the bogey side of the All Blacks, having won four of their last seven meetings between the two teams.
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Crucially, though, it was their first victory in New Zealand from 14 attempts to give the three-game Test series a decisive game in Wellington next weekend.
“Delighted. We played some great stuff early on especially when it was 15v15, no Irish team has ever done that before and delighted,” Ireland captain Johnny Sexton said.
“But it’s all on the line next week.”
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Veteran Irish striker Peter O’Mahony was immense, while former Chiefs midfielder Bundee Aki was one of his team’s best as he straightened and flexed the line.
The loss will put more pressure on coach Ian Foster.
While Crusaders manager and six-time Super Rugby winner Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson took advantage of Fiji’s clash with Australia A, Foster saw his All Blacks suffer their third loss in their last four matches .
“We were beaten out of the blocks again in the first 15-20 minutes but showed massive character to hang on like that and score a first try before half-time,” said the All Blacks captain, Sam Cane.
“But they’re a quality team and they bounced back spectacularly tonight.
“We just had too many unforced errors and it didn’t allow us to get our game going and it will all come down to next week.”
The discipline of the All Blacks played a big part in the loss.
Leicester winger Fainga’anuku and prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi received yellow cards early in the game, before the match turned upside down as substitute prop Angus Ta’avao received his orders at the 31st minute.
Ta’avao floored Garry Ringrose with a frontal shot, where the initial contact was direct to the head. Despite Cane’s best efforts to convince South African referee Jaco Peyper of a yellow card, Ta’avao was sent off with his bloodied face matching the color of the red card.
Initially, the All Blacks rallied.
Despite the red card, Ireland were clumsy and their 10-0 lead did not last after former Chiefs star James Lowe bombed an overlap and knocked the ball down cold past the All Blacks line.
After a number of penalties on their own goal line, Irish lock James Ryan received a yellow card.
It didn’t take long for the All Blacks to make the most of it, as Beauden Barrett cleared the ball from the ruck and pounced on the ball to score to give the home side hope of replicating the 14-man win men of the Wallabies. over England last weekend.
But Ireland dominated the second half, as Porter grabbed his second try from close range to extend their lead to 17-7 after converting Sexton.
Up to 14 men, playing against the Irish team dominated by Leinster, New Zealand have always faced from this moment.
Sexton continued to pressure the scoreboard as he scored his second penalty in the 56th minute.
He had his third after 68 minutes to extend the lead beyond two converted tries.
Did Jordan hit back for the All Blacks but it was too little too late as Ireland recorded a famous victory.
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