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As it happened: Ireland v New Zealand, Autumn Nations Series

Kick-off at the Aviva Stadium is at 8:10pm.

Good evening, all!

Welcome to our live coverage from the Aviva Stadium as Ireland open their Autumn Nations Series campaign against New Zealand.

Call it a rematch, a revenge mission, a one-off game or whatever you like — just don’t call it a friendly, because this one is going to be feisty.

Ireland meet their World Cup conquerors on home soil, but the modern-day rivalry between the sides has only marinated since their last meeting in Paris.

They go again at 8:10pm tonight. Gavan Casey with you here and if you’re not at Lansdowne Road or you can’t make it to a telly, I’ll bring you live updates as the s-h-you-know-what goes down between the men in green and black.

scott-barrett-with-caelan-doris-and-nic-berry-at-the-coin-toss Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

It’s not all bad blood, of course…

fans-outside-the-stadium-before-the-game Ken Sutton / INPHO Ken Sutton / INPHO / INPHO

fans-outside-the-stadium-before-the-game Ken Sutton / INPHO Ken Sutton / INPHO / INPHO

Teams

The sides will line out as previously named.

Ireland

Andy Farrell welcomes back scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park, fullback Hugo Keenan, and right wing Mack Hansen after all three missed the tour of South Africa in July.

It’s Hansen’s first appearance for Ireland since their World Cup quarter-final defeat.

Finlay Bealham deputises for the injured Tadhg Beirne at tighthead.

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New Zealand

Scott Robertson has made two injury-enforced changes to his starting XV, with Damian McKenzie replacing Beauden Barrett at out-half and Asafo Aumua coming in at hooker in place of Codie Taylor.

There is still no place for Ethan de Groot, who broke team protocol in London ahead of the All Blacks’ victory over England at Twickenham last week.

IMG_3947

Ireland’s new full-time skipper is dishing out encouragement during the warm-ups.

caelan-doris-and-finlay-bealham-during-the-warm-up Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

mack-hansen-and-caelan-doris-during-the-warm-up

bundee-aki-and-caelan-doris-during-the-warm-up

What do you reckon?

Ireland haven’t lost a November test at the Aviva Stadium since their second meeting with the All Blacks, after Chicago, in 2016.

Will that streak come to an end against the same opposition tonight, or will Andy Farrell’s men swing the dynamic of the rivalry back in their favour?


Poll Results:

Ireland by a score (70)
New Zealand by more than a score (37)
Ireland by more than a score (35)
New Zealand by a score (20)
I honestly haven't a bull's notion (20)

President Michael D. Higgins is just greeting the players and we’ll be onto the anthems, and the Haka, shortly.

Ten minutes or so ’til kick-off here at the Aviva Stadium.

The game is on Virgin Media TV and TNT Sports in case you checked RTÉ and were left wanting.

Peter O’Mahony edged Ireland towards the Haka, there, and the place went nuts.

It’s showtime!

Kick-off

1′ – IRE 0-0 NZ: Damian McKenzie gets the game underway at the Aviva Stadium!

2′ – IRE 0-0 NZ: Brilliant charge-down by Andrew Porter on a box-kick by Cortez Ratima. Will Jordan scrambles but spills the loose ball forward.

Scrum Ireland inside the New Zealand 10.

This battle was pivotal in Paris last year. Let’s see how it goes today!

4′ – IRE 0-0 NZ: The scrum takes an age to set, and reset, but Ireland lock it out and crash it up through Bundee Aki.

Into the 22′ but Aki, on his second touch, forces a pass and it’s knocked on by an outstretched Irish hand.

New Zealand scrum about 10 metres inside their own 22′.

6′ – IRE 0-0 NZ: Deadlock across both scrums, neither side giving an inch.

Damian McKenzie bangs a clearance from his own 5′ up beyond halfway, into touch.

Ireland 3-0 New Zealand

8′ – IRE 3-0 NZ: Ireland win a cheap penalty as New Zealand are pinged for escorting during a kick chase.

Jack Crowley chips one over from in front of the posts. The hosts lead after a lively start.

Ireland 3-3 New Zealand

10′ – IRE 3-3 NZ: Ireland a bit unlucky there. Ratima breaks the line after appearing to knock the ball on at the base of a ruck — albeit I haven’t yet seen a replay.

James Lowe gets over the ball with the jackal but is unable to fully secure possession, with Nic Berry calling him first man and not awarding the pen.

Finlay Bealham goes for the poach off next phase and is pinged for no clear release.

An unfortunate sequence of events for Ireland but all that matters is Damian McKenzie has levelled it at three apiece!

13′ – IRE 3-3 NZ: First bit of argey-bargey after Ireland’s linespeed forces another New Zealand knock-on near midfield.

Great pressure by Garry Ringrose and Rónan Kelleher.

The crowd, and Paul Mescal on the big screen, really enjoying the handbags with Big Joe McCarthy heavily involved.

16′ – IRE 3-3 NZ: New Zealand steal a four-man Irish lineout and gather the ball inside their own half.

Ireland are then pinged for escorting, exactly the same as the Kiwi pen earlier.

Gibson-Park punished this time and McKenzie moves the All Blacks to touch outside the Ireland 22′.

19′ – IRE 3-3 NZ: New Zealand fashion a great chance down the right wing but Hugo Keenan makes a diving, try-saving tackle on Mark Telea. Superb defending by the Leinster man.

Telea tries to offload infield off the touchline but finds only James Lowe, who hurriedly clears on the swivel.

Back come New Zealand and Ireland withstand some further pressure, albeit outside the red zone.

22′ – IRE 3-3 NZ: Superb tackle from behind by Jamison Gibson-Park on Damian McKenzie blows up another big Kiwi chance.

Ireland scrambling well but the Kiwis are making inroads.

Ireland eventually win a penalty as Ardie Savea is pinged for no release outside the Irish 22′. Jack Crowley moves it up to the visitors’ 10′.

23′ – IRE 3-3 NZ: Ireland win the lineout but Wallace Sititi brings an end to their attack before it can really begin with a brilliant poach. Penalty New Zealand.

25′ – IRE 3-3 NZ: Gibson-Park is penalised for offside on his own 22′. Ireland repel New Zealand’s advantage attack but the Kiwis will go again — and they’ll go for touch.

Attacking platform at the lineout about seven metres from the Irish line.

26′ – IRE 3-3 NZ: Crooked throw by Ausafo Aumua. Irish crowd enjoyed that one.

New Zealand with more of the attacking pressure and opportunities so far. Ireland hanging in there with some big hits and strong scramble defence.

tempers-flare-between-the-two-sides Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Ireland 3-6 New Zealand

28′ – IRE 3-6 NZ: Ireland concede a free-kick for a delay at the scrum, which was under pressure, and New Zealand tap and go from the Irish 5′. (This was all from the crooked throw — there was an injury delay thereafter).

Ireland are then pinged for both a high tackle and a no-arms tackle during their defensive set, and New Zealand will take the easy three.

McKenzie chips it over. The visitors lead, and deservedly so!

31′ – IRE 3-6 NZ: Gibson-Park forces a knock-on from opposite number Ratima at the base of a ruck.

Irish scrum on the New Zealand 10′. They attack left with some fast hands by Crowley and Lowe, and New Zealand are penalised at the breakdown just outside their own 22′.

Ireland go for touch, with Crowley prodding them towards the 5′. Crowd loves the call. It’s loud.

33′ – IRE 3-6 NZ: Ireland’s maul goes nowhere and, from the ensuing phase, the ball squirts out of the breakdown on the Kiwi side. Frustration for the hosts again.

New Zealand try to attack left but Ireland again scramble well and the visitors clear to halfway.

35′ – IRE 3-6 NZ: Second steal at the lineout for New Zealand and they win a penalty when Beirne is caught for no clear release on halfway.

37′ – IRE 3-6 NZ: From the resulting lineout, Kiwis attacking deep inside the Irish 22′. Slow ball but they’re making inroads aaaand Ireland concede another penalty.

Caelana Doris gets a warning about the number of Irish infractions from referee Nic Berry.

McKenzie points towards the sticks.

Ireland 3-9 New Zealand

38′ – IRE 3-9 NZ: It’s another chip-shot for McKenzie and New Zealand lead by six.

Frustrating half for Ireland, this. A few of the penalties have been harsh, too.

39′ – IRE 3-9 NZ: Aki punctures the line, finally, and offloads to Ringrose.

The Leinster centre is hit high by his soon-to-be teammate Jordie Barrett.

Crowd don’t like it, and neither does Nic Berry when he sees it on the big screen. It meets the yellow-card threshold and it’ll go to a bunker review.

No malice from Barrett, just poor technique. He was kind of turning, in fairness, after Ireland broke the line and just didn’t find a low enough point of contact.

Half-time: Ireland 6-9 New Zealand

Ireland take the three, with Crowley slotting over, and that takes us to the break.

The hosts will have a man advantage for at least the first 10 minutes of the second half after Jordie Barrett’s yellow.

It’s been a disjointed performance with very little attack to speak of, albeit Aki’s well-constructed linebreak has New Zealand a man down at the turnaround.

New Zealand will probably wonder how they’re only three up at the break, but they’ll fancy themselves capable of finishing the job based on the majority of that first half.

Ireland’s defence, though, it must be said, has been excellent.

Catch you in about 15 minutes!

damian-mckenzie-with-jamison-gibson-park Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Second half

41′ – IRE 6-9 NZ: Jack Crowley gets the game back underway at Lansdowne Road.

…And Ireland immediately win a penalty in the Kiwi 22′ as New Zealand obstruct a kick-chaser. Crowley moves them to within five.

41′ – IRE 6-9 NZ: New Zealand nuke the Irish maul and dislodge the ball, but Sam Cane is bundled over his own line and the roof nearly comes off the place.

Five-metre scrum for Ireland. Another chance.

Try for Ireland! Ireland 13-9 New Zealand

43′ – IRE 11-9 NZ: TRRRYYYYYYYYYY FOR JOSH VAN DER FLIER!

It starts with a huge carry off the base of the scrum by Doris. Ireland move through the phases in the face of stout Kiwi defence with Porter going close.

But eventually the ball finds Van der Flier, and Van der Flier finds the line with an outstretched arm!

Crowley, from wide right, splits the posts with a beautiful kick.

Ireland, just like that, lead by five!

46′ – IRE 13-9 NZ: Ireland go close again as Gibson-Park blasts Will Jordan in a tackle and Ireland bash New Zealand off their own ball.

Amid deafening noise, Ireland go wide left but James Lowe is eventually pinged for an illegal cleanout. Ref incorrectly blamed Porter for that one.

Meanwhile, Jordie Barrett’s yellow card will remain a yellow card.

Ireland 13-12 New Zealand

48′ – IRE 13-12 NZ: Damian McKenzie brings it back to a one-score game as a Kiwi jackal just inside the Irish half is rewarded by Berry.

Serious kick by the All Black out-half.

First half wasn’t a great game, all told. Second half has been electric so far!

56′ – IRE 13-12 NZ: A lot of halfway ball for both sides but New Zealand win a penalty just inside Irish territory for an Irish tackler not rolling away.

McKenzie is going to have a shot for the lead — he was good from this distance a few minutes ago even after the ball fell off the tee.

57′ – IRE 13-12 NZ: Has the legs but clips the right-hand upright and Gibson-Park clears to halfway.

The Irish scrum-half makes the next big defensive intervention, too, as he forces a Kiwi knock-on near halfway.

Andy Farrell makes four subs: Rob Herring for Kelleher. Tom O’Toole for Bealham. Iain Henderson for McCarthy. Ciarán Frawley for Jack Crowley.

60′ – IRE 13-12 NZ: Tom O’Toole gets blown out of it by Wallace Sititi and play is eventually stopped as the Ireland tighthead falls to the turf having originally returned to his feet.

He’s back up again now, thankfully, but he’ll be going straight back off for a HIA from which he will most certainly not return.

Bealham back on — I’d say he’d barely gotten his tracksuit on!

Ireland 13-15 New Zealand

61′ – IRE 13-12 NZ: Ireland appear to obliterate a Kiwi scrum but Nic Berry penalises Finlay Bealham for “driving across”. That’s such a bad call. Nic Berry has been harsh on Ireland tonight, but that’s the way it goes.

McKenzie slots it from inside the Irish 10′. The visitors lead with just under 20 to go!

Ireland 13-18 New Zealand

64′ – IRE 13-18 NZ: Henderson is pinged for no clear release as he thwarts a Kiwi attack — a fair call this time.

McKenzie stretches New Zealand’s lead to five from about 30 metres.

Goes without saying but Ireland need the next score or this one is cooked.

Try for New Zealand! Ireland 13-23 New Zealand

69′ – IRE 13-23 New Zealand: WILL JORDAN! NEW ZEALAND STRETCH THEIR LEAD TO TWO SCORES! AND THAT MIGHT DO IT!

It’s a try that takes them the width of the pitch twice. Hugo Keenan denied them on their right-hand side with his second try-saving tackle of the game.

But New Zealand swung left where they had a huge mismatch and Jordan winds up walking it in.

McKenzie is off the mark with his conversion from the left-hand touchline but the All Blacks lead by 10 in Dublin.

The men in black have been the better side here, particularly in attack.

will-jordan-celebrates-scoring-their-first-try-with-damian-mckenzie Ken Sutton / INPHO Ken Sutton / INPHO / INPHO

72′ – IRE 13-23 NZ: One of the best 50-22s you’ll ever see by James Lowe. It was actually a 22-22 from the touchline. Banana kick. Insane.

Ireland have a chance and they need something here, realistically.

Sam Cane going off with a HIA which has caused a stop in play in the meantime.

74′ – IRE 13-23 NZ: Ireland knock on the door but Ardie Savea wins the jackal penalty on his own 5′. Superb by the Kiwi talisman.

The air is sucked out of the Aviva once more.

78′ – IRE 13-23 NZ: Frawley, who has been poor since he came on, tries a deft chip over the top into Kiwi territory. Hansen almost gathers it in stride but spills it forward.

It’s been that kind of day. New Zealand scrum between their own 22′ and 10′.

Two minutes to go. You can stick a fork in this one. It’s going to be a seriously good win for the All Blacks!

Full-time: Ireland 13-23 New Zealand

That’ll do it. Ireland fall to defeat in a home November test for the first time since 2016. And New Zealand were well worth their victory.

will-jordan-celebrates-scoring-their-first-try-as-josh-van-der-flier-looks-on-dejected Ken Sutton / INPHO Ken Sutton / INPHO / INPHO

That’s it from me. I’ve to record a podcast with Murray Kinsella and then head downstairs for the press-conference stuff so I’ll leave ye.

Thanks a million for joining us for live updates and keep an eye on The 42 for reaction and analysis tonight and throughout the weekend!

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