A late try by Will Jordan and a composed kicking performance by Damian McKenzie secured a 23-13 victory for New Zealand over Ireland at Aviva Stadium on Friday.

The All Blacks’ triumph was particularly impressive considering they played a significant portion of the game with 14 men after Jordie Barrett’s sin-binning.

But McKenzie kept the tourists in the game. New Zealand opted for penalties instead of lineouts to get more points, while Ireland lost a few lineouts in their search of theirs.  

But it was never the game that captured the world’s imagination as it was anticipated to be, as this was a test of two top three sides in the world in the Autumn Nations Series.  

Ireland was presented with a great chance to avenge the loss of 28-24 to the All Blacks in the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter final in France. 

The All Blacks also played that game for 20 minutes with 14 men against the Six Nations champions and had to dig deep to defend their try line through 40 phases in the dying seconds as the top-ranked Irish searched for a winning try. 

It was an eighth quarter-final loss for the Irish, ending their winning streak at 17 matches and sent flyhalf Johnny Sexton into retirement without the glittering prize with which he had hoped to crown his career. 

The All Blacks’ win was revenge for Ireland, which beat New Zealand in the 2022 series, which took place in New Zealand. 

 
Despite all the hype, it was an evenly matched game between two top three sides in the world as there were so many turnovers from either side, which let the game down.  

Whoever would have gotten the handling errors right, the game would have ignited to life that was expected before game.     

However, there was a flash point in the last minute of the first half as Barrett was sin-bin. His shoulder got in the face of Ireland’s centre Gary Ringrose and New Zealand finished the first half with 14-man but they were leading 9-6.  

There was a potentially red card for Barrett as it was referred to the bunker review by referee Nic Berry.  

As there was no degree of danger, it remained a yellow card on Barrett. 

Ireland appeared to be fired up in the second half as Josh van der Flier dived over for the first try to see the home side go ahead by 13-9.  

The home side was back smelling blood as the volume in the stands went through the roof, but again New Zealand overturned that attacking phase. 

But Mckenzie kept New Zealand in the game by converting penalties, but he missed one in the 57^th minute that should have seen them go ahead again. 

The flyhalf, represented by another chance, got another penalty and this time he nailed it through the poles as New Zealand took the lead to 15-13. 

Mckenzie nailed another penalty to see New Zealand move to 18-13 to silent the capacity crowd at Aviva Stadium. Ireland was making mistakes after another which hampered their game and the sting appeared to be gone too from them.  

However, Jordan got New Zealand’s first try in the 69^th minute after they dragged Ireland from one flank to another, and on the short side, the fullback dived over to see them lead by 23-13. 

Irish’ James Lowe hit a superb banana kick from his half and it went to New Zealand’s 22, bringing the home crowd back to life in an attempt to come back. But New Zealand was on top of that lineout attack as World Player of the Year Ardie Savea won New Zealand a penalty and Ireland’s danger was wiped off.  

One thing New Zealand has got it right ahead of other nations, their lineouts are always accurate.    

Just like it was in the World Cup quarter final, New Zealand beat Ireland yet again, this time in their backyard.  

Ireland lost at Aviva Stadium for the first time since France came to the venue in 2021.