New Zealand secured a back-to-back win in the Autumn Nations series with a 23-13 victory over Ireland at the Aviva Stadium. Damian McKenzie was the star of the show, kicking 18 points to lead the All Blacks to victory. The match was closely contested in the first half, with McKenzie and Jack Crowley exchanging kicks. However, Ireland gained a numerical advantage when Jordie Barrett was sin-binned for a high tackle on Garry Ringrose. The Irish capitalized early in the second half with a try from Josh van der Flier, but New Zealand quickly regained their advantage and eventually sealed the win with a try from Will Jordan.
Indiscipline proved to be Ireland’s downfall as their winning streak came to an end. They had not lost a home match since the 2021 Six Nations, but a combination of handling errors and penalties allowed New Zealand to come out on top once again. The All Blacks dominated in terms of metres gained, penalties conceded, and tackles missed, ultimately proving to be too much for the Irish side to handle. McKenzie was named Player of the Match for his impressive kicking display, beating defenders, producing offloads, and gaining the most metres over the 80 minutes.
Player ratings for the match reflected the performances of both teams, with standout players including Gibson-Park for Ireland and McKenzie for New Zealand. Ireland’s Keenan, Hansen, and Lowe were among those who put up solid performances, but it was not enough to secure a win against the formidable All Blacks side. New Zealand’s Jordan, Aumua, and Savea were also key players in their team’s victory, with Jordan scoring his 37th try for his country, moving him joint-eighth on the all-time list with Rieko Ioane and Jonah Lomu.
The match highlights showcased the intense battle between the two teams, with key moments including McKenzie’s impressive charge halted by a superb tackle from Gibson-Park and Jordie Barrett’s sin-binning for a high tackle. Van der Flier’s try early in the second half gave Ireland hope, but New Zealand quickly responded with their own scores to seal the win. With the victory, New Zealand handed Ireland their first defeat at home in 20 matches, dating back to the 2021 Six Nations.
Overall, it was a dominant performance from New Zealand as they continued their winning streak in the Autumn Nations series. Ireland put up a strong fight, but ultimately fell short due to a combination of indiscipline and errors. McKenzie’s kicking prowess and overall performance were instrumental in securing the win for the All Blacks, while players from both sides showcased their skill and determination in a hard-fought contest. The victory solidified New Zealand’s reputation as a formidable force in international rugby, while Ireland will look to regroup and bounce back from this defeat in future matches.
