Ireland kick off their autumn campaign with a blockbuster game against the All Blacks under lights at the Aviva Stadium.
Andy Farrell’s side were last in action in the summer when they famously secured an away win against world champions South Africa.
Kick off for tonight’s game is at 8.10pm and you can follow all the action in our live blog.
IRL
3
:
9
NZL
Penalty to Ireland! Ronan Kelleher’s lineout goes to hand this time and Bundee Aki and the hooker break upfield. There is a TMO check on Jordie Barrett’s tackle on Garry Ringrose as the shoulder connects with the centre’s head.
New Zealand don’t gather the restart as perfectly as they would have hoped. James Lowe puts Damian McKenzie under pressure, but ultimately finds touch.
No issues for the 29-year-old fly-half who fires his third consecutive penalty kick between the uprights.
Another advantage to New Zealand as Ireland James Ryan is pinged for not rolling way at the breakdown. Once again, Scott Barrett consults with teammates and gifts the ball to Damian McKenzie who lines the ball up at the posts.
Ireland’s lineout is picked off again by Scott Barrett. New Zealand get a penalty for Tadgh Beirne not releasing the ball carrier. It seems harsh but the All Blacks don’t care and find touch outside the Irish 22-line.
Ireland set the maul but fail to protect the ball in the subsequent phase as the ball squirts out to Tyrel Lomax. New Zealand go wide to Caleb Clarke who appears to kick it out on the full, however the TMO comes to the winger’s rescue and says otherwise. Lineout to Ireland on halfway.
Penalty to Ireland just outside the All Blacks 22-line. Ireland go wide to James Lowe who does well to hold onto possession, but Mark Telea and Scott Barrett go off their feet at the ruck.
Jack Crowley has found touch just 10 metres from the Kiwi try-line.
After a brief kicking battle, New Zealand knock on with Jamison Gibson-Park forcing the handling error from Cortez Ratima just as the scrum-half pried the ball from the base of the ruck. Green scrum on the New Zealand 10-metre line.
The fly-half who plays his rugby with the Chiefs at club level drills over the resulting penalty kick.
Advantage to the All Blacks. Ireland are shunted back in the scrum and a high tackle offers the visitors with an advantage. Ireland might be relieved to see Scott Barrett point to the posts – it could have been a lot worse but Ireland’s defence stood relatively firm, discipline aside.
Ireland will be grateful Nic Berry’s whistle has sounded there! The All Blacks put serious pressure on in the scrum with loosehead Tamaiti Williams, but the Australian arbiter adjudges the scrum to have wheeled just as Cortez Ratima looked to gather the ball.
Asafo Aumua throws a crooked lineout and Ireland survive. Lansdowne Road has fallen somewhat silent lately with the All Blacks evidently on the front foot the last 10 minutes as they dominate possession and territory. However, a cheer goes up as Ireland survive the next Kiwi onslaught.
Ronan Kelleher gets over the ball and prevents Wallace Sititi from releasing. Nic Berry brings play back for Jamison Gibson-Park straying offside. Damian McKenzie finds touch just 10 metres from the Irish try-line.
Andy Farrell’s side secure their own lineout but get bunched in the middle of the park. Wallace Sititi gets in over the ball to win the turnover penalty. New Zealand are back on the attack with advantage having nailed their own lineout routine on the Irish-22.
New Zealand flash it wide with Damian McKenzie apparently working the two-on-one overlap with Mark Telea. Jamison Gibson-Park tracks superbly to bring the fly-half down before the pass is released.
Josh van der Flier gathers possession and Ireland win a penalty from the next phase with the All Blacks straying offside.
Almost a scary moment for Ireland as Damian McKenzie frees his hands to release Will Jordan and subsequently Mark Telea. James Lowe somehow manages to rip the ball off the winger and kick up-field. Josh van der Flier goes in chase and snags McKenzie before he can gather momentum. Tadgh Beirne rips the ball in the following phase and Ireland survive.
A knock on in the tackle just beyond the Irish 10-metre line offers the All Blacks an attacking platform from the scrum if they can retrieve their own ball.
Penalty to the All Blacks! Jamison Gibson-Park is the guilty party on this occasion. Nic Berry warms him, stating he didn’t allow Mark Telea to contest the kick. New Zealand find touch just outside the Irish 22-line.
New Zealand engage early and Nic Berry tells the pack to retreat. Jack Crowley fires the up and under, however Will Jordan is well placed to take the mark and find touch just inside the Irish half. New Zealand pinch the lineout, although Gibson-Park puts McKenzie under instant pressure on the lose ball.
The All Blacks return the favour as tempers fray in the middle of the park with Joe McCarthy and Scott Barrett getting a firm grasp of each other’s collars.
New Zealand locked out the scrum and looked to release Will Jordan, but the door was shut in his face. Ronan Kelleher applies the pressure in the next phase to force the knock on.
Another handling error from Ireland as Bundee Aki fumbles the greasy ball as Mack Hansen looked to put him through a gap on halfway.
With a break in play for the scrum, here’s a chance to look at Jack Crowley’s successful penalty kick: