New Zealand emerged victorious with a 28-24 win, securing their place in the Rugby World Cup 2023 semi-finals while Ireland faced their eighth quarter-final defeat in a nail-biting quarter-final showdown at Stade de France on Saturday.
The match began with a dominant performance by the All Blacks, led by Leicester Fainga’anuku’s try, which propelled them to a 13-0 lead.
However, Bundee Aki, the Irish centre, showcased his fancy footwork and crossed the try line, bringing Ireland back into contention. Ardie Savea responded for New Zealand, but Jamison Gibson-Park’s try, while Aaron Smith was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on, cut their lead to a tense 18-17 at halftime.
The second half saw New Zealand’s Will Jordan scoring his fifth tournament try. Still, Ireland retaliated with a penalty try, and hooker Codie Taylor was shown a yellow card, keeping the Irish within a point.
In the final moments of the game, centre Jordie Barrett kicked a crucial penalty, and New Zealand managed to withstand a relentless Irish onslaught with 37 phases of attacks. This secured their spot in the semi-finals where they will face Argentina at Stade de France on Friday, October 20.
Ardie Savea, the All Blacks’ number eight, was named the Mastercard Player of the Match and expressed his pride in the team’s performance. He praised the Irish squad’s world-class skills and sent his appreciation to them.
Despite playing 20 minutes of the match with only 14 players, New Zealand managed to triumph. Captain Sam Cane also highlighted his team’s joy at reaching their ninth semi-final in ten tournaments, emphasizing the incredible effort and dedication that went into the week’s preparation.
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster commended the “fantastic” performance of his side and the discipline they exhibited throughout the match. He was proud of their defence and their ability to remain patient in the face of adversity.
Ireland’s head coach, Andy Farrell, expressed his immense pride in his squad despite the bitter loss, acknowledging the cruel nature of sports. He also paid tribute to their retiring 38-year-old captain, Johnny Sexton, praising his character and exceptional rugby career.
Sexton shared the overriding emotion of pride and gratitude for the past six weeks, expressing his regret that they couldn’t secure a victory for their loyal fans and the Irish nation.
Source: Rugby World Cup Website
