Share
16th July 2022
11:29am BST
Mack Hansen - 7
Early knock-on, but did not affect him as he claimed the next steepler. Had a kick up the line blocked down by Sevu Reece. Stepped by Akira Ioane for his try. Made seven tackles as Ireland needed to scramble, after the break.
Robbie Henshaw - 8
Made two big tackles in the space of 20 seconds, on 33 minutes. Timed his run well to go over unopposed for his try. Rushed up for a big tackle on Beauden Barrett that forced New Zealand to kick the ball away.
Bundee Aki - 8
Unfortunate to give away a breakdown penalty when he lost his footing. Lovely, selfless pass to put Henshaw over for his try. Won a breakdown turnover before half-time. Footwork was making gains on each carry. Went for 14 tackles as Ireland pressed up, but missed six.
James Lowe - 8
So, so close to a sublime 50:22 kick up the touchline. Sublime pass, when he knew Barrett was going to nail him, for that Keenan pass. Was used almost as an inside centre on a few carries off scrums and lineouts. Made a bad call, on 68 minutes, by not finding touch from a kick inside his 22.
Johnny Sexton - 8
Missed an early conversion, from out wide, and was short with a kick to the corner. Stepped Will Jordan on one carry. Unhappy with himself when he gained only 15 metres, under no pressure, with a clearing kick. Nailed a 49-metre penalty and a touchline conversion, as he found his range. Under-cooked an up-and-under from inside his 22.
Jamison Gibson-Park - 7
Grubber-kicked the ball straight to Aaron Smith, ending a promising attack. Knocked on a couple of high balls, but tackled well a second time to limit the damage.
Andrew Porter - 7
Big hit on Laulala forced a forward pass turnover inside the Kiwi 22. Fortunate not to be red-carded for going in too high on Retallick.
Dan Sheehan - 7
Lineout throwing was on the mark, but the Kiwis were not exactly flinging bodies in the air to contest. Some good carries but got isolated and turned over, just as the half-time hooter sounded. Fell off Akira Ioane tackle before the flanker's try.
Tadhg Furlong - 8
Not as many carries as we are used to from the big man, but tackled like a demon and scrummed well. Landed 14 tackles.
Tadhg Beirne - 10
Got a big lineout steal, on eight minutes. Brave intercept gave Ireland stalled some early Kiwi momentum in the second half. Won Ireland a penalty on the halfway line with a breakdown poach. Won a huge penalty inside his 22, at the breakdown... again. Made a THIRD turnover, and second inside his 22, on 73 minutes. Then made a FOURTH, on 75.
James Ryan - 9
Safe as houses on the early lineouts. Sank in some huge hits in defence. Superb lineout steal, on 36 minutes. Solid in the air on restarts. Some doubted him after the First Test, but responded superbly.
Peter O'Mahony - 8
Showed up on the left wing in an early Irish attack. Couldn't control a bouncing ball from a restart and his knock-on gave the ABs a scrum on the right wing. Won his side a turnover when he locked onto Codie Taylor at a Kiwi maul. Sank 10 tackles.
Josh van der Flier - 9
Got over for a fourth minute try [his sixth of the season for Ireland]. Massive turnover won, inside his 22, when he latched onto Rieko Ioane. Teamed up with Porter to force a turnover. 20+ tackles again.
Caelan Doris - 8
Great early line break. Gave away a penalty for tackling Savea too high. Tackled anything in black that moved. Shut down Savea on a scrum carry, near the posts. Stuck in 18 tackles.
Explore more on these topics:
