New Zealand inflicted more World Cup heartbreak on Ireland on Saturday, beating the top-ranked team to bring a disappointing end to Irish captain Johnny Sexton’s career.
The All Blacks turned on the pressure early on, pounding away at the Irish line and it told as referee Wayne Barnes awarded them a penalty. Richie Mo’unga slotted it over for 3-0. Mo’unga converted from the left touchline. The Irish needed something and sensibly Sexton, when offered the chance, took the points, converting a penalty for 13-3 in the 23rd minute.The Irish were right back in the game as the clock ticked towards the half-hour mark. James Lowe’s long pass found Aki who took it high but still managed to break through several tackles and touch down and Sexton converted for 13-10.
It paid off as having kicked to touch shortly afterwards with another penalty Jamison Gibson-Park saw a gap and seized the opportunity brilliantly to go over and touch down.–Will Jordan finished off a brilliant break by Mo’unga and Jordie Barrett landed the conversion for 25-17 with 25 minutes remaining.Things just weren’t going Ireland’s way as Sexton opted to go for goal but sent his penalty wide as groans rang round the stadium with the clock ticking towards the hour mark.
It worked as the decibel levels went into another stratosphere and even more so when Barnes awarded the Irish a penalty try and sin-binned Codie Taylor to leave it 25-24 with 16 minutes to go.