Ireland stun All Blacks in Chicago

For the first time in well over a hundred years of trying, Ireland have beaten the All Blacks. A Tier 1 record 18-game winning streak came to a screeching halt at Soldier Field in Chicago as New Zealand fell by a score of 40-29 in front of a captivated full house. The odds were long and even with a 22 point lead after 50 minutes played it seemed unlikely that Ireland could pull off the victory, but a decisive try by Robbie Henshaw in the 76th minute put the result beyond doubt and sent Irish fans into rapturous celebrations.

Ireland showed their intent early by turning down points for the corner on a kickable penalty, but when a second opportunity came Jonathan Sexton took no chances and opened the scoring in only the third minute. New Zealand replied immediately as Waisale Naholo ripped through the defense and it was George Moala who was on the end of the move, silencing the strong Irish contingent in attendance. A dangerous tip tackle landed Joe Moody in the bin and with the All Blacks on the defensive, the Irish forward pounded ahead through the maul and Jordi Murphy found his way through the traffic for Ireland’s first try.

A clean break by Rob Kearney was stopped just inches from the line, but CJ Stander was on hand to pick and shovel his way under two defenders for another score before Moody could get back to the pitch. Beauden Barrett sent over a penalty goal but it was duly erased by Sexton and then Conor Murray set mouths agape with a sensational burst from the ruck after swindling Aaron Smith with a dummy. The Irish scrumhalf roared over the line untouched to make the score 25-8 at the end of a stirring first half.

The crowd could sense an All Black riposte on its way but Ireland got a killer blow in first. With the defense stretched the ball went wide left and Simon Zebo was all alone to scamper over in the corner for a critical score. At last New Zealand fired back, and as only they can it came in rapid succession. A brilliant offload to TJ Perenara, a diving score to Ben Smith, and after a Murray penalty goal the wonderful line to part the Irish defense by debutante Scott Barrett closed a 22 point gap to only four.

With the pressure approaching smothering levels the black wave continued to crash upon the green jerseys but the wall held and suddenly a long kick ahead from Murray put Julian Savea in all sorts of the trouble and the winger was dragged down in his own goal to concede a 5 meter attacking scrum. Direct as can be, Henshaw blasted through the would-be defenders and crashed over to secure a famous victory. With Sexton off the pitch it was new cap Joey Carbery who did the honors with the conversion, and while he missed a penalty goal with a minute to spare the bridge was too far and Ireland at last had their moment of glory.

New Zealand won’t have to wait long to exact their revenge, with a rematch set for two weeks time in Dublin. In the meantime Ireland are expected to many numerous changes to face Canada next Saturday while New Zealand will be forced to start over against Italy. For all involved the first order of business will be to take in the celebrations set to continue long into the evening in what has been the most memorable sporting week in the history of Chicago.

 

SCORING

IRELAND 40
Tries – J. Murphy (10), C. Stander (17), C. Murray (34), S. Zebo (48), R. Henshaw (76)
Cons – J. Sexton 2 (11, 35), J. Carbery (77)
Pens – J. Sexton 2 (3, 23), C. Murray (59)

NEW ZEALAND 29
Tries – G. Moala (4), T. Perenara (52), B. Smith (56), S. Barrett (63)
Cons – B. Barrett 3 (53, 57, 64)
Pens – B. Barrett (20)
Yellow cards – J. Moody (8)

 

TEAMS

IRELAND
1 Jack McGrath (Jack McGrath 61) 2 Rory Best (capt.) (Sean Cronin 71) 3 Tadhg Furlong (Finlay Bealham 57) 4 Donnacha Ryan (Ultan Dillane 65) 5 Devin Toner 6 CJ Stander 7 Jordi Murphy (Josh van der Flier 26) 8 Jamie Heaslip 9 Conor Murray 10 Jonathan Sexton (Joey Carbery 59) 11 Simon Zebo 12 Robbie Henshaw 13 Jared Payne 14 Andrew Trimble 15 Rob Kearney

Not used: Kieran Marmion, Garry Ringrose

NEW ZEALAND
1 Joe Moody (Ofa Tu’ungafasi 59) 2 Dane Coles 3 Owen Franks 4 Patrick Tu’ipulotu (Ardie Savea 59) 5 Jerome Kaino (Scott Barrett 45) 6 Liam Squire 7 Sam Cane 8 Kieran Read (capt.) 9 Aaron Smith (TJ Perenara 45) 10 Beauden Barrett 11 Julian Savea 12 Ryan Crotty (Malakai Fekitoa 26) 13 George Moala (Codie Taylor 71) 14 Waisake Naholo (Aaron Cruden 55) 15 Ben Smith

Not used: Charlie Faumuina

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
Assistants: Luke Pearce (RFU) & Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (RFU)

 

Attendance: 62,300