Ireland player ratings vs All Blacks | Autumn Nations Series
This has quickly become the norm and not the elusive scalp for Ireland as they defeated the All Blacks for the third time in five meetings. They had waited more than 100 years for a breakthrough success but now they are like the buses, arriving with great frequency. For it was Chicago in 2016, then Dublin in 2018 and now Dublin again in 2021 following a performance that brought the house down.
Ireland were immense in taking a massive step forward in proving that Andy Farrell is indeed head coach material at Test level and the only mystery about it all was why they have to do it by coming from behind. They had dominated the first half yet finished that opening period 10-5 behind despite a James Lowe try and it took a monumental second-half effort to ensure all their excellent work didn’t go to waste.
Tries from Ronan Kelleher and the unstoppable Caelan Doris quickly flipped the scoreboard and there was no denying them their deserved victory, the All Blacks left frustrated by a disallowed try for a forward pass before replacement Joey Carbery kicked Ireland clear to win 29-20. Cue pandemonium. Here are the RugbyPass Ireland player ratings live from Aviva Stadium:
15. HUGO KEENAN – 8
An Andy Farrell selection favourite, he opened with a lovely early step and was soon reliable under the high ball from Beauden Barrett before spilling a second tidy up. Gave Lowe the perfect assist for him to make the corner on 14 minutes. Kept his concentration going for the full 80 as evidenced by a late intervention that further sapped the All Blacks fight.
14. ANDREW CONWAY – 7
Bagged a hat-trick last week but chances to finish didn’t materialise here as he frequently had to cut inside, as seen in the lead-up to the early second-half Kelleher try. Had stoked up the crowd with his early hunting down of Sevu Reece who had gathered a dropping ball but he was penalised soon on another chase. Brave when double tackling on his own line with Garry Ringrose to prevent Jordie Barrett from scoring. Kept working hard and remained heavily involved which was vital.
LIFT OFF ?@JamesLowe_03 gives @IrishRugby a dream start against the @AllBlacks ?#AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/ckRvIpYKgk
— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 13, 2021
13. GARRY RINGROSE – 8
Looked decent defensively in the tackle versus Japan but this was the litmus test. Shed claret when stopping Jordie Barrett from bagging a try and he continued this diligence when up early to mow down Will Jordan not long into the second half. Carried well and helped to keep the All Blacks defence guessing what was coming next.
12. BUNDEE AKI – 8
Ball-dislodging tackle near halfway on Rieko Ioane in the opening exchanges on halfway set the tempo for his powerful effort. He was pivotal to keeping Ireland on the front foot, even when in the wrong areas of the pitch. Look at his carry off a defensive five-metre that was then rucked and safely kicked clear to the ten-metre line. A pity he didn’t go the distance, the midfielder pulling up with a lame leg on 72 to be replaced by Keith Earls.
11. JAMES LOWE – 9
Came into the game with a reputation for defensive weakness but showed guile when getting to Jordan in time on eleven minutes off a Beauden Barrett cross-kick. Then demonstrated his admirable finishing prowess by stooping perfectly low to dive in at the corner on 14 minutes. Finished the opening half just inches short of registering a second in the same corner. Proceeded to execute the loop for the Kelleher try in the second half and while he will be annoyed he was caught by the try-letting Jordan chip and chase, it was his tackle on Ioane that shut the door on the All Blacks.
10. JOHNNY SEXTON – 9
Supreme a week ago, he was in the crosshairs of the All Blacks all through the opening half and was subjected to some late tackling, one by Codie Taylor that was yellow carded and another Ethan Blackadder that Luke Pearse only awarded a penalty for. Was successful with the first decision to go to the corner with a penalty that could have been kicked for points, but tries didn’t materialise on the other occasions when lineouts were preferred to shots at goal. That would have been costly but for his team’s rampant second-half effort. Was also admonished for verbals to the referee on 22 minutes. Kept firing his team on until exiting on 65 minutes for a HIA after another bang. Carbery didn’t let the tempo drop, though.
9. JAMISON GIBSON-PARK – 9
Fully deserving of his start following last week’s first-half incision and his slick passing was on point again here, regularly propelling Ireland’s ball carriers over the gain line. Was another Irish player who had a try flash before his eyes in the frantic period of pressure just before half-time. Came out swinging in the second half, his highlights reel including a 50:22, snuffing out the danger on a Reece chase and much more. His importance to the team was confirmed by Farrell allowing him to play 72 minutes before Conor Murray was summoned.
1. ANDREW PORTER – 8
Eager to contribute and his frequent involvement was an illustration of how much more the Irish props are now contributing away from the set-piece. The pity was that it was his needless penalty that fractured pressure on the half-hour, giving the All Blacks the lineout ball they ran in for a try against the run of play. Courageously played for 76 minutes before Cian Healy was introduced.
2. RONAN KELLEHER – 8
Brilliant awareness to snuff out an All Blacks try chance with an interception near the line, he frequently carried enterprisingly but was caught out by the eagled-eyed officials for taking a second movement on his knees, a ploy that scrubbed out the first-half try scored by Tadhg Furlong. Deliciously made up for it with his 44th-minute try and he kept smashing into the game until the 59th minute when exchanged for Rob Herring.
3. TADHG FURLONG – 8
World-class again in so many aspects, never mind being his usual composed self at the set-piece. Wrangled a scrum penalty off Joe Moody on 24 but was mugged on the double just minutes later. Firstly, he had his own try ruled out for an illegal Kelleher movement and was ten static when Dalton Papalii broke in between him and Kelleher to set up Codie Taylor’s try. Bounced back from that slip, though, and was immense in getting Ireland into the lead before giving way to Finlay Bealham on 65 minutes.
Drink. It. IN ?#AutumnNationsSeries | @IrishRugby | #IREvNZL pic.twitter.com/F0qHvWOoHJ
— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 13, 2021
4. IAIN HENDERSON – 7
Did the ugly stuff so well but was done for the penalty on 18 minutes that gave the All Blacks their opening points after Ardie Savea had carried. It resulted in a discussion with referee Luke Pearce before the restart. He stuck at it but was hooked on 48 minutes for Tadhg Beirne, who played like a whirlwind in completing the job on the visitors.
5. JAMES RYAN – 7
Similar to Henderson, this was a performance where his best work was done without much kudos coming his way. Carried well in traffic when needed and he kept trucking in an intense fashion to ensure the likes of Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock didn’t feature all that much.
6. CAELAN DORIS – 9
Began with the rush that had the All Blacks knocking on six minutes, he was impactful on the carry the whole way through. Admirably showed he is no longer an inexperienced young buck and now has the armoury similar to Stephen Ferris in his Grand Slam winning heyday in 2009. His increasing alertness over what goes on at this level was evident in how he shut down Jordan on 23 minutes attacking near the scrum and winning the turnover. His fabulous 51st-minute score crowned his all-action effort.
7. JOSH VAN DER FLIER – 7
The least prominent member of the Irish back row but that was no slight on an afternoon where they all stepped up and rocked the All Blacks. Again showed how he is becoming more adept at getting on the ball, the main deficiency in his game when breaking through under Joe Schmidt. Now possesses an all-court game to be proud of. Played 59 minutes before Peter O’Mahony carried on the great work.
8. JACK CONAN – 9
Brutally effective in the carry, his handling skills were also a thrill in carrying the fight to the All Blacks when needed. It was his drive and vigour early in the second half that helped to ensure Ireland turned around the five-point gap at the break to quickly make it a match-winning lead they didn’t relinquish.
"It is incredibly special, especially having a full crowd here, we have missed them for so long."
An emotional Caelan Doris reflects on his POTM award in his first game versus the @AllBlacks.?#IREvNZL #AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/9wMIHU4DQz
— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 13, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments