Check out our All Blacks player ratings vs Ireland as they continued their Autumn Nations Series opener at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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and continues to deliver drama, and once again, it’s the All Blacks who have the final say. Following their World Cup quarter-final triumph last year, New Zealand returned to Dublin and handed Ireland a 23-13 defeat, ending their 19-game home winning streak in front of a sold-out Aviva Stadium.
For Ireland, it was a night to forget. A series of handling errors and lapses in discipline handed the All Blacks the upper hand, with 18 points from the boot of Damian McKenzie putting them in control.
A late try from Will Jordan sealed the win for New Zealand, canceling out Josh van der Flier’s earlier effort.
Ireland will be left to rue a missed opportunity, as this All Blacks side looked there for the taking. Despite the loss, Ireland’s performance will be scrutinized for the mistakes that allowed New Zealand to emerge victorious once again.
Scroll down for All Blacks player ratings vs Ireland:
Ireland 13
- Tries: Josh van der Flier (42′)
- Cons: Jack Crowley (43′)
- Pens: Jack Crowley(07′, 39′)
All Blacks: 23
- Tries: Will Jordan (68′)
- Cons:
- Pens: Damian McKenzie (09′, 28′, 37′, 48′, 61′, 64′)
All Blacks player ratings vs Ireland:
15: Will Jordan – 7
The full back continued his unbelievable scoring record as he crossed to help his side on the way to victory. He was solid under the high ball and bar a quick lineout mistake, it was a decent performance for the Crusader.
https://static.smartframe.io/embed.js14: Mark Tele’a – 6
Ireland were able to identify the threat that Telea offered from his standout performance at Twickenham last week. The winger was afforded little ball but generally made metres when it was passed out wide. A quiet match for the usual all-action Telea.
13: Rieko Ioane – 6
The arch-enemy of the day, Ioane had a solid game. Much like Telea, Ioane rarely received the ball so was forced into a more defensive role. However, he did not put a foot wrong with Ireland gaining little success down his channel.
12: Jordie Barrett – 6
Barrett had a mixed evening in Dublin, starting with a controversial yellow card for a high tackle. During this period, Ireland were able to capitalise through a Josh van der Flier try. As soon as the All Blacks returned to fifteen men, Barrett had an unmemorable performance and will be glad to have not cost his side more during his time in the sin-bin.
11: Caleb Clarke – 5
Much like Telea, Clarke barely got his hands on the ball. Ireland did not attack down his side often either so the winger was unable to impact the game through this aspect either.
10: Damian McKenzie – 7
In Beauden Barrett’s absence, McKenzie had a tough job on his hands. One of New Zealand’s best players on the night, McKenzie generally was able to control his attack and contribute to great effect to his side’s victory. 18 points and 108 metres made, a great night for the fly-half.
9: Cortez Ratima – 5
It was a disappointing night for Ratima. He was unable to create momentum when the All Blacks had the ball. Although some criticism must be taken away from the scrum-half as Ireland were very successful at slowing down the ball in defence.
8: Ardie Savea – 7
The 2023 World Player of the Year was quietly brilliant. Lots of unnoticed work in and around the ruck with a couple of penalties won. He had a few strong carries and performed well.
7: Sam Cane – 6
The former All Blacks captain had a quiet match too, which is clearly a trend for a few New Zealand players. A good lineout steal early on in the first half was the highlight of his performance. Most importantly, no major errors or mistakes.
6: Wallace Sititi – 7
The young flanker is fast becoming one of the best backrowers in the world. Off the back of a man-of-the-match performance against England last week, Sititi was able to bring his scintillating form into this game also. Excellent footwork into contact and sharp offloading is becoming a key part of New Zealand’s game, which he is adept at.
https://static.smartframe.io/embed.js5: Tupou Vaa’i – 5
Yet another subdued performance from an All Blacks player. The second row had an uneventful first half, conceding a penalty in the process. His maul defence to turn over the ball on New Zealand’s own line was commendable, but otherwise an unexciting showing.
4: Scott Barrett (captain) – 7
The captain led by example in this match. A solid powerhouse performance, typical of a second row. Leading by example, Barrett is hugely influential to Scott Robertson’s side.
3: Tyrel Lomax – 6
Solid scrums and good carries made sure that Lomax had a decent evening in the Irish capital. Nothing special produced however but he can be content with his showing.
2: Asafo Aumua – 7
Aumua is going to give Scott Robertson a selection headache as he impresses in Codie Taylor’s absence. A perfect pass to Will Jordan ensured that he would cross over the whitewash unscathed. He won a momentum-changing penalty in the second half and was one of the better players for New Zealand.
1: Tamaiti Williams – 6
Much like his prop partner, Williams was quietly effective. Decent scrummaging and drive through contact but no outstanding pieces of play.
Replacements
16: George Bell – N/A
17: Ofa Tu’ungafasi – 7
Off the bench, Tu’ungafasi provided a much-needed boost to the All Blacks. He was able to win over his Irish counterpart and provided a solid set piece platform off which McKenzie could direct his attack. Good performance from the loosehead prop.
18: Pasilio Tosi – 6
It was hard for Tosi to gain any plaudits, considering the impact that Tu’ungafasi had off the bench, but he did not put a foot wrong. Sturdy scrummaging ensured New Zealand did not lose any set piece battle to Ireland so all in all, job well done.
19: Patrick Tuipulotu – 6
Another important introduction in the second half. Tuipulotu came on for Vaa’i and did manage to cause Ireland some problems through slowing the ball down and making tackles. The second row was handy in attack and his physicality was a welcome addition for New Zealand.
20: Samipeni Finau – 6
Once again, an uneventful match for Finau. He did his job to the standard and helped his side to victory. It was more the case that Ireland were disjointed and ill-disciplined, rather than any of New Zealand’s players having an overall effect on the game.
21: Cam Roigard – 6
Subbed on with thirty minutes left to play, Roigard managed to increase the speed of the ball and put Ireland under pressure. A couple of times he went the wrong way but this appears to have been a communication issue between him and McKenzie. Adequate performance from the replacement.
22: Anton Lienert-Brown – 6
Concluding the theme of New Zealand players having a fairly quiet match, Lienert-Brown had a wholly uneventful game. Entering the field with about ten minutes to play, he spent most of his time defending. When in attack, Ireland were still consistently closing the 13 channel down so he was unable to inflict any damage there.
23: Stephen Perofeta – N/A
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