Ireland vs New Zealand score, result, analysis as All Blacks edge thrilling Rugby World Cup quarter-final

Author Photo
Jonathan Burnett
and others
• 25 min read
Getty

New Zealand produced a performance for the ages to defeat Ireland 28-24 at the Stade de France, securing their place in the 2023 Rugby World Cup's last four and sending the world's No.1 side home at the quarter-final stage.

Despite coming into the match as underdogs for arguably the first time in tournament history, the All Blacks never relinquished the lead and clung on for dear life, as Ireland threw everything they had at Ian Foster's side in a bid to end their quarter-final hoodoo.

The All Blacks began on top, with Richie Mo'unga kicking two early penalties to get the scoreline rolling. Their lead grew further as winger Leicester Fainga'anuku finished off a sublime passing move in the left-hand corner, opening up a 13-0 gap after 20 minutes.

From the restart, though, Ireland won a penalty which was slotted over byJohnny Sexton, and that established the shift in momentum which led to Bundee Aki's hot-stepping try just five minutes later. 

New Zealand weren't so easily quashed though, and hit back soon after, with No.8 Ardie Savea dotting down superbly in the opposite corner as the All Blacks built a spell of possession from a penalty.

Aaron Smith's sin-binning for a deliberate knock-on just moments later threatened to change the fabric of the quarter-final, and Ireland immediately pounced through their own New Zealand-born scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park to narrow the gap to just one point at the break.

Starting the second half with 15 men to New Zealand's 14, Ireland couldn't break through the stoic All Black defence and remained 18-17 behind when Smith returned to the field.

The scrum-half then set in motion the first points of the second 40, passing to Mo'unga, whose dummy off the back of a line-out fooled everyone in a green shirt. Breaking into open space, the fly-half had Will Jordan in tow, and the prolific wideman slid over in the corner to stretch the gap back to eight.

Ireland's sheer willpower, and a rather handy set of forwards, would almost seize control of the game back into their favour though, as a rolling maul careered towards the New Zealand line before being pulled down illegally. Referee Wayne Barnes awarded the penalty try, and sent Codie Taylor to the sin-bin, leaving the All Blacks a man down for 10 of the final 15 minutes.

However, with the tension at an all-time high, Jordie Barrett stepped up to slot over a last-ditch penalty immediately after missing a long-range effort, and that four-point gap would last until full-time.

Ireland tried everything to overturn the deficit, throwing the kitchen sink and more at the All Black defence, but there wasn't a gap in the armour to be found and the final whistle condemned the Six Nations champions to yet another quarter-final exit.

Ireland's Golden Generation can't reverse last eight fate

Sexton, Murray, O'Mahony and several others have likely now all worn that green jersey for the last time, but boy, did they go down swinging.

They went so, so close to reaching the World Cup semi-finals for the first time, but couldn't find a way of getting past an All Blacks side who were fluid in attack and, barring a couple of occasions, impregnable in defence.

Andy Farrell's side will go again in the new year, with a new crop of youngsters brought in to build towards 2027, but given how good they've been during the current World Cup cycle, this may well have been Ireland's best chance yet of breaking a curse which will soon enter its fourth decade.

All Blacks advance after defying doubts, odds and omens

The first 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final will be an all-Southern Hemisphere affair as New Zealand meet Argentina, having produced a dogged yet dazzling performance to beat Ireland.

In contrast to Ireland, who have lost all eight of the quarter-finals, New Zealand have won nine from 10, with that rogue one coming back in 2007, the last tournament to be held in France.

Ireland have had the beating of Ian Foster's side in their last two encounters, but the game management the All Blacks showed tonight, even when down to 14 on two separate occasions, showed a togetherness and will to win that could prove to be the making of world champions in a few weeks time.

The Sporting News was following the match live, providing updates and commentary below.

Ireland vs. New Zealand final score

  Score
Ireland 24
New Zealand 28

Tries: Aki, Gibson-Park, Penalty Try; Fainga'anuku, Savea, Jordan

Conversions: Sexton (2); Mo'unga, J Barrett

Penalties: Sexton; Mo'unga, J Barrett (2)

MORE: Who are the favourites to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup?

Ireland vs. New Zealand live commentary, highlights

FT: That's all from us, and it's same to say we've just covered one of the all-time great rugby union games. Ireland are heading home at the quarter-final stage once again, as New Zealand march on to the last four, where they'll face Argentina at the Stade de France in a week's time. We will see you there, and look forward to another titanic battle at a Rugby World Cup which is defying the odds with every single game!

FT: What. A. GAME!!! The All Blacks edge it by four, but those final few minutes had us right on the edge our our seats. Will Jordan's breakaway try and Jordie Barrett's late penalty proved crucial, with Ireland continuing to bring themselves back into the game through ferocious defence and imperious attack. The penalty try which narrowed the deficit to one also left the All Blacks down to 14 for the second time in the match, but their discipline and defence improved tenfold from this point on, not allowing the men in green to add another point. Barrett's penalty stretched the gap to four, meaning Ireland had to score a try to win the game, but despite having almost 40 phases with ball-in-hand, New Zealand's defence stood firm and kept the world's number one side at bay to send Ireland packing and advance to the last four.

83 mins: New Zealand get the penalty, and the win! Whitelock gets his experienced hands on the ball, winning the turnover that seals the All Blacks' passage to the semi-finals! Ireland are out on their feet and sunken with disappointment, as Jordie Barrett boots the ball out to bring the curtain down on one of the games of the tournament!

82 mins: Into the second minute beyond the 80, and it's a moment for heroes now as Ireland chase that all-important try!

81 mins: New Zealand try to slow the ruck down or turn the ball over within legal limits, but it's still with Ireland who are absolutely desperate now!

80 mins: Ireland keep on coming as the clock turns red, with O'Brien and Aki both unable to crack the defence as the All Blacks hold firm!

79 mins: Aki, Conan, Beirne and Lowe all threaten to punch holes in this seemingly unbreakable wall of black, but they're met by superb defence led by replacement centre Anton Lienert-Brown!

78 mins: O'Brien rises to ge-gather Sexton's drop-out, and with just two minutes on the clock, it's now or never for Ireland to make try-scoring use of this possession!

77 mins: After Mo'unga's grubber in behind is grounded in-goal, Beauden Barrett attempts a long-range drop-goal from the resultant clearance. It's not much of an effort tough, listing away to the left and being grounded by Sexton for another goal-line drop-out.

75 mins: New Zealand bide their time as they trudge forward over halfway. Smith lines up a high box-kick, which is taken by O'Brien. He's bundled into touch just as Taylor's sin-bin clock times out, but the hooker won't return in place of Coles and it's Retallick who comes back on, alongside Dalton Papalii in place of Cane.

72 mins: Held up! The Irish maul thunders towards the try-line once again, but neither Murray nor Ronan Kelleher can get the ball down as the All Blacks defence holds firm!

71 mins: Following a good carry from Sexton, Conor Murray stabs a kick in behind the New Zealand defence. Beauden Barrett fields it, but then throws a wild offload back inside, and Ireland turn it over on the floor to win another penalty!

69 mins: PENALTY - Ireland 24-28 New Zealand. After being caught in the air while contesting a high ball, Jordie Barrett wins another penalty and makes up for his earlier miss by slotting over three more points. With 11 on the block, the All Blacks' lead grows to four, but we reckon there's still plenty more points coming in this one.

68 mins: Jordie Barrett fancies his chances from the penalty, which is a touch closer to the posts than his first-half effort. He's not successful this time though, as the ball sails away to the left of the uprights.

66 mins: with Taylor off for 10 minutes, Dane Coles enters the fray in place of Retallick for the scrum. Scott Barrett goes back to second-row and leaves the blindside free, but the seven-man All Black scrum unleashes one hell of a shove to win the penalty!

64 mins: PENALTY TRY - Ireland 24-25 New Zealand! We're back to a one-point ball game! From the line-out, Beirne brings the ball down and forward surges the Irish maul. It's over the line but collapses into a heap, and the referee heads to the posts to award a seven-point penalty try! No conversion needed, but things go from bad to worse for the All Blacks as the main culprit Taylor is shown a yellow card!

63 mins: Lowe and Keenan twice combine down the right-hand side to leave the All Blacks stretched, and despite some heroic defence from Cane and his charges, Ireland win a penalty, kicking right into the corner.

61 mins: Another strong carry from O'Brien and fellow substitute Jack Conan take Ireland into the 22, but Sexton's chip over the top is fielded by Jordie Barrett to win possession back for New Zealand.

59 mins: Ioane is pinged for slowing the ruck down and Sexton looks to the post. Hoping to cut the gap to five, Sexton's attempt skews inches wide of the left post, so it's as you were on the scoreline!

57 mins: Jimmy O'Brien is on for an injured Hansen, and takes the first carry off an Irish line-out. From the next phase, Gibson-Park heads back to the right and launches a long cut-out pass towards O'Mahony, but Smith gets his intercept right this time and denies the flanker a clear run into the corner!

56 mins: From a penalty line-out, Keenan grubbers into the 22 with Hansen giving chase. Beauden Barrett's back there for the All Blacks though, collecting the ball and stepping his way out of trouble before clearing into touch!

54 mins: TRY - Ireland 17-25 New Zealand! The first points of the second half go to the men in black! From a line-out on halfway, Mo'unga sells a superb dummy with Jordan on his inside shoulder. The winger remains there in support as Mo'unga bursts into the back-field, and is on hand to glide over in the corner! 28 tries in 29 tests for Jordan, and Jordie Barrett adds the two from the sideline as the All Blacks re-establish their eight-point lead.

52 mins: Ireland continue to push forward through big carries from Lowe, Ringrose and Doris into the 22, but Savea gets over the ball perfectly to win a timely turnover penalty!

51 mins: Porter gifts New Zealand field position after conceding a scrum penalty, but after multiple phases of pressure, the Ireland prop redeems himself by winning a turnover ball and sending Keenan and Lowe away on the counter-attack!

48 mins: Keenan loops a pass out to Lowe on the left wing, but he's stopped by the men in black after stepping back inside. Hansen launches a cross-field kick to the right with Sheehan giving chase, but the bounce of the ball evades the hooker as Aaron Smith returns from the sin-bin for the All Blacks! 

45 mins: Gibson-Park kicks towards the corner where O'Mahony of all players is the target. He's got the height advantage over Mo'unga, but can't take the catch cleanly and it's New Zealand's ball.

44 mins: A chip over the top bounces Ireland's way, and Ringrose lobs a wide pass towards Hansen. The winger kicks ahead and gives chase in vain, but the result is even better ball bounces out for a 50-22!

42 mins: Van der Flier is straight back into the thick of things and wins an early turnover. The resulting clearance is returned by Beauden Barrett, whose deep kick finds touch for an Ireland line-out.

41 mins: Beauden Barrett resumes proceedings at the Stade de France, as New Zealand kick-off with a long punt into Irish territory.

HT: The teams return with the second half ready to get underway, and if it's anywhere near as good as the first, we could well be witnessing one of the greatest games in rugby's long history play out in the suburbs of Paris.

HT: The first 40 minutes pass in the blink of an eye, with two of the world's very best going toe-to-toe in Saint-Denis. The All Blacks started brightly with two penalties off the tee, and Fainga'anuku's try in the corner opened up a 13-point advantage. Back came Ireland though, as Aki danced and powered his way through the defence to get Ireland up and running. The final five minutes of the half raised the stakes even higher, as Savea produced a winger's finish in the corner before Smith was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on. Using the extra number to their advantage, Ireland crossed for their second with half-time looming, as Gibson-Park's five pointer reduced the deficit to just one point at the break.

40 mins: You'd back Ireland to go for another try straight from the restart, but Sexton is happy with his side's first-half showing and boots the ball out to bring the curtain down on the first 40.

39 mins: TRY - Ireland 17-18 New Zealand! Ireland close the gap to just one point! A second successive penalty sees Sexton kick to the corner again, and from the back of the line-out maul, Gibson-Park peels off, dummies, and darts over from close range! Sexton adds the extras from right in front, and the margin narrows yet again in the shadows of half-time.

37 mins: Yellow card! That's a big, big call! The TMO brings the referee's attention to a deliberate knock-on by Smith, and although it's a fairly inconsequential touch, it's enough to convince the referee to show the All Blacks scrum-half a yellow card! With Ireland on the front foot, New Zealand will be down to 14 for the next few minutes either side of half-time!

37 mins: Van der Flier and Hansen both carry into the All Blacks' 22 at pace, with the latter taking a late offload from Lowe to speed through a gap before his own offload goes to ground!

35 mins: TRY - Ireland 10-18 New Zealand! The All Blacks strike back through their enigmatic eighth-man! Off the line-out, both Cane and Jordie Barrett are stopped inches short of the line before the ball is worked back to the right. Quick hands from Jordan and Ioane give Savea a clear run into the corner, and the back-rower - turning 30 today - finishes with aplomb to extend his side's lead! Mo'ounga can't add the two, meaning it's 18-10 with half-time approaching.

33 mins: Jordan drifts in-field and drills a kick towards the sideline. It's a belter too, rolling into touch from inside halfway for a 50-22 and New Zealand's throw at the line-out!

31 mins: Savea rises high to field a kick over the top from Mo'unga, and the follow-up carry from Retallick does some damage too. His second-row partner Scott Barrett is swarmed on the floor by Van der Flier though, and the Irish openside wins a turnover penalty!

30 mins: Straight from the restart, a superb carry from Ringrose sees him step his way out of the 22, leaving several All Blacks in his wake. Sexton clears from the next kick, and it's returned with feeling by New Zealand. This match just will not let up!

28 mins: TRY - Ireland 10-13 New Zealand! The All Blacks finally crack as Ireland crash over!! Pressure eventually tells, as Aki collects Lowe's wide pass to the right. He steps inside Ioane, powers through the gain-line and dives over to score his side's first try! Sexton adds the two, reducing the gap to three points, and we've got one hell of a game on our hands here!

27 mins: After gaining penalty advantage, Gibson-Park, Sheehan and Keenan all make good yardage into the All Blacks' 22, but the defence is standing firm - for now.

25 mins: Sheehan's line-out is stolen by New Zealand, but a charge-down deflects the ball back into Irish hands. Ringrose and Keenan combine down the right side, and the latter's offload is kicked ahead by Sexton. The 38-year-old chases hard, but his opposite number Mo'unga gets there first to ground the ball in-goal.

24 mins: A quick TMO check for high contact from Retallick finds nothing worth showing a card for, but it is an Irish penalty and Sexton kicks to the corner looking for back-to-back points.

23 mins: PENALTY - Ireland 3-13 New Zealand. Ireland are on the board after Frizell concedes a penalty straight from kick-off. He illegally blocks the chasing run of Beirne off the ball, and Sexton steps up to slot over his side's first three points.

20 mins: TRY - Ireland 0-13 New Zealand! Try time for the All Blacks! Mo'unga fields a massive clearance from Lowe and finds Beauden Barrett in support. His chip over the top and regather leaves Ireland stretches, and from there, it's thrown wide. Fainga'anuku and Ioane combine down the left wing, and the Tongan-born Crusader collects Ioane's inside offload to barge over in the corner! Mo'unga adds the two from the sideline, and the All Blacks have a healthy lead at the Stade de France.

17 mins: Both forwards and backs get involved as Ireland try to bust their way through the All Blacks' defence, but Retallick pounces on an isolated Gibson-Park to win a timely turnover underneath the sticks!

16 mins: Some great stepping and even better hands from Hansen and Gibson-Park send Ringrose careering into the 22, but the All Blacks' scramble defence brings him down as Ireland look to launch a multi-phase attacking in New Zealand territory!

14 mins: PENALTY - Ireland 0-6 New Zealand. The All Blacks double their lead from the penalty on halfway, which is thumped between the sticks from a good 50 metres by Jordie Barrett's cannon of a right foot!

13 mins: A rushed Beauden Barrett clearance is made good by an excellent kick-chase from New Zealand. A huge tackle from Cane on Doris allows Savea to get over the ball, and the All Blacks' number eight makes no mistake this time to win a massive turnover penalty!

11 mins: The line-out is messy but Ireland are able to re-gather possession in the New Zealand 22. Aki, Beirne and Porter all carry well, but Lowe can't reel in a wide offload from Keenan and the ball bounces into touch!

10 mins: Savea is caught on the floor and the referee has no option but to blow for a penalty, but rater than electing to equalise off the tee, Sexton kicks to the corner as Ireland chase an early try!

8 mins: PENALTY - New Zealand 3-0 Ireland. Mo'unga points to the sticks and slots over the penalty kick with ease, getting the All Blacks on the board with the first points of this quarter-final!

7 mins: Some 30 phases into their attacking move, New Zealand gain penaklty advantage and Mo'unga chips to the corner. Jordan is the target, but he can't claim the kick under pressure from Lowe and we'll come back for the penalty!

5 mins: A pair of penalties conceded by Porter gift the All Blacks some field position, but Jordan is up-ended in a dominant tackle by Ireland's Lowe. New Zealand move left before shifting back to the right, and Jordie Barrett does well to keep himself in the field of play off Mo'unga's wide pass!

Kick-Off: Aaron Smith leads the Haka as Kapa O Pango rings around the Stade de France, and the All Blacks field the opening kick of the game from Ireland stalwart Johnny Sexton! 

5 mins to KO: The national anthems are sung loudly and proudly by players and fans alike, and with the players kitted up and ready, New Zealand have one final challenge to lay down before kick-off.

10 mins to KO: The teams are lined up in the tunnel, and trudge out onto the pitch in Saint-Denis as the world of rugby gets ready to sit back and enjoy an 80-minute exhibition of the sport at its very, very best.

15 mins to KO: The Stade de France is a sea of green and black with kick-off just moments away now, with the stage well and truly set for these two world-beating sides to do battle once more!

30 mins to KO: The free-scoring All Blacks have crossed for a whopping 38 tries across their four pool stage matches, with starting wingers Will Jordan and Leicester Fainga'anuku both notching four each, the same number as Ireland centre Bundee Aki.

45 mins to KO: The 13-8 defeat of reigning champions South Africa showcased Ireland's World Cup-winning credentials, and having never, ever advanced beyond the quarter-finals before, is tonight the night that a decades-long hoodoo is finally overcome?

1 hour to KO: Ireland are the form team coming into this one, having won their last 17 matches - including two in a row against the All Blacks and all four in Pool B. New Zealand lost their World Cup opener to hosts France, but have recorded three enormous victories in the three games since.

1 hour 15 mins to KO: After Argentina's smash-and-grab victory over Wales in the first quarter-final, the victors of this game already know who they'll be meeting in the last four. Will it be a re-match of the 2015 quarter-final for Ireland, or can the All Blacks seal an all-Southern Hemisphere match-up?

1 hour 30 mins to KO: Hello, and welcome to live coverage of this highly anticipated quarter-final clash between Ireland and New Zealand.

Meetings between these two are always fiery affairs, but with a place in the World Cup semi's up for grabs, get ready for 80 minutes of world-class rugby.

Ireland vs. New Zealand line-ups

The world's No.1 side have a full-strength squad to pick from, after Mack Hansen and Garry Ringrose shook off pool stage injuries to make the starting XV in Saint-Denis.

A back-line featuring three New Zealand-born players in Jamison Gibson-Park, James Lowe and Bundee Aki will be led by Johnny Sexton, who could be about to play his final match of professional rugby if Ireland are to lose here.

Ireland's all-star pack has also come through the pools largely unscathed, despite facing some monstrous Tongan, Scottish and South African opposition. James Ryan is the only notable absentee from the side, with Iain Henderson continuing alongside Tadhg Beirne in the second row, as Joe McCarthy comes onto the bench.

Ireland Starting XV: Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Johnny Sexton, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, Iain Henderson, Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

Ireland Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Jimmy O'Brien.

A curfew break has seen prolific All Blacks wing Mark Telea dropped from the side, but his stand-in Leicester Fainga'anuku will offer plenty of power, pace and finishing ability of his own down the left edge.

Aaron Smith wears No.9 alongside his halves partner Richie Mo'unga, while on the bench, the free-scoring Cam Roigard is surprisingly replaced by Finlay Christie as New Zealand's reserve scrum-half.

Up front, prop Ethan de Groot returns to the XV following his pool stage red card against Namibia, starting on the loosehead side of a bullish front row that also features Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax.

Captain Sam Cane makes only his second start of the tournament, while on the bench, hooker Dane Coles and New Zealand's record cap holder Sam Whitelock will bring all the experience needed as the game moves towards the latter stages.

New Zealand Starting XV: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrol Lomax, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea.

New Zealand Replacements: Dane Coles, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Sam Whitelock, Dalton Papalii, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown.

MORE: Ireland open World Cup campaign with statement victory over Romania

Ireland vs. New Zealand TV channel, live stream

  TV channel Streaming
USA — Peacock
Canada TSN

TSN+

UK ITV ITV X
Australia Channel 9 Stan Sport, 9Now
New Zealand Sky GO Sky GO
India — Fan Code
Hong Kong BeIN Sports BeIN Sports
Malaysia BeIN Sports BeIN Sports
Singapore BeIN Sports BeIN Sports

 

Author(s)
Jonathan Burnett Photo
Jonathan Burnett

Freelance rugby union reporter for The Sporting News UK. 

Rugby Union
Rugby Union World Cup
New Zealand
Ireland
Ireland v New Zealand