The mood was set by a spine-tingling rendition of Ireland’s Call sung by over 51,000 home fans ready to watch the biggest grudge match in world rugby unfold in front of their eyes.
As if any more fuel needed adding to the fire, the All Blacks haka was led by none other than star player Rieko Ioane, and Ireland’s walk towards their pumped-up opponents signified the challenge had been firmly accepted.
The crowd was immediately lifted when a kick was charged down by Irish prop Andrew Porter, who then chased the bouncing ball and forced a knock-on. Porter’s roar rang around a full Aviva Stadium.
After a relatively quiet opening six minutes, New Zealand cracked under the high ball pressure and give away a penalty for obstruct in front of their posts. Ireland fly-half Jack Crowley stepped up just outside the 22-metre line and converted the penalty: 3-0.
After an opportunistic break by scrum-half Cortez Ratima, Ireland were under pressure and gave away a kickable penalty that allowed Kiwi fly-half Damian Mckenzie to open the All Blacks scoring: 3-3 with ten minutes on the clock.
Whenever New Zealand’s attack began to gain traction, the Irish defence managed to disrupt their rhythm, stepping in just in time to thwart any promising moves.
At the midway line, a penalty to the All Blacks saw them kick to touch, setting up an attacking lineout. After a few phases of play, Ireland were penalised again, with Jamison Gibson-Park the offending player. Rather than opting for three points, New Zealand chose to kick to the corner, resulting in a lineout 10 metres out. However, referee Nic Berry’s call of "not straight" on Asafo Aumua's throw gave Ireland a reprieve.
Following the lineout, the All Blacks targeted the Irish scrum, which started to show signs of strain under New Zealand's pressure. This resulted in a free kick, quickly taken by Ardie Savea. On the back foot, Ireland conceded another penalty for a high tackle. McKenzie opted for the posts, giving New Zealand the lead for the first time after 28 minutes.
In the 35th minute, another penalty for Ireland's failure to release at the breakdown saw New Zealand kick for an attacking lineout just outside the Irish 22. Sustained pressure led to another Irish infringement, prompting a double whistle blast from Berry and a team warning to Ireland for the mounting penalty count.
McKenzie, from nearly the same position as before, coolly slotted the penalty to extend New Zealand’s lead to 9-3, two minutes before halftime.
With a minute left in the first half, Ireland went on the offensive. Bundee Aki broke through the line, linking up with Garry Ringrose. As he carried forward, cries of "high tackle" rang around the Aviva Stadium. Play was stopped, and the TMO flagged a high tackle by Beauden Barrett, who was shown a yellow card pending a bunker review.
Crowley took the resulting penalty from directly in front of the posts, reducing the gap to three points as the teams headed into the half-time break with the score 9-6 in favour of New Zealand.
Crowley got the second half back under way, and straight away an escort infringement resulted in an Ireland penalty. Crowley kicked the ball to the corner for an attacking lineout five metres out.
All Blacks flanker Sam Cane claimed the ball, but was immediately picked up by four Irishmen and was forced to dot the ball down in his own dead ball. Ireland were awarded an attacking scrum on five metres.
A strong scrum and gladiator-like carry from captain Caelan Doris, followed by patient phase play, enabled Josh van der Flier to crash over to score Ireland’s first try of the game. A dream start to the second half for the hosts. Crowley stepped up and slotted the conversion to see Ireland take a 13 points to nine lead in the 44th minute.
New Zealand’s defence stood strong, and they were rewarded with a penalty once Ireland failed to release the ball. McKenzie chose to steady the ship and took a shot at goal from 45 metres out at a slight angle. Despite the ball falling off the tee and McKenzie having to reset it himself with 14 seconds left on the shot clock, he struck the ball inside the right-hand upright to close the deficit to just one point: 13-12.
New Zealand made the first change of the game, with Cam Roigard replacing Cortez Ratima at scrum-half. Jordie Barrett also returned to the field following his yellow card period.
At the 55-minute mark, Ireland once again infringed at the breakdown, giving New Zealand another shot at goal from a good distance, albeit directly in front of the posts. McKenzie stepped up and struck the ball against the right-hand upright - eerily reminiscent of George Ford’s missed attempt a week earlier against the All Blacks.
In the 57th minute, both sides made a host of changes. Iain Henderson, Tom O'Toole, Ciaran Frawley, and Rob Herring come on for Ireland, while Patrick Tuipulotu, Pasilio Tosi, and Ofa Tu'ungafasi enter for New Zealand.
Just two minutes after O'Toole came on, he was forced to leave the field for a Head Injury Assessment. Finlay Bealham returned to the pitch, set for a long 78-minute shift.
Following a scrum restart, New Zealand won a penalty, giving McKenzie a chance to put the All Blacks in the lead with a shot from 50 metres out. This time, he made no mistake, drilling it through the posts. New Zealand took a 13-15 lead heading into the final 20 minutes.
Ireland’s ill-discipline continued to cost them, with yet another breakdown infringement that handed the visitors a penalty within kicking range. McKenzie stepped up just outside the 22 and increased the lead to 13-18 with 15 minutes left to play.
New Zealand retained possession over several phases, stretching the Irish defence from touchline to touchline. Eventually, with tired Irish bodies everywhere, gaps began to open. Some slick All Blacks handling put Will Jordan in acres of space, allowing him to stroll in and score his second try of the Autumn Nations Series and in the process equalled the All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu’s try scoring record of 37 tries. McKenzie missed the conversion from out wide, bringing the score to 13-23 – and so it remained.
Damian McKenzie was named player of the match after a fine performance showing control and flair to help steer his All Blacks side to an assured victory at the Aviva Stadium, scoring 18 points in the process.
Ireland’s search for revenge following their 2023 Rugby World Cup loss to New Zealand continues, while the All Blacks go into next weekend’s Autumn Nations Series match against France full of confidence after defeating the world number one side.
