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Ireland shock world champions New Zealand in Vancouver

By PA
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Members of Team Ireland celebrate winning the WXV1 Pool match between New Zealand and Ireland at BC Place on September 29, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Rich Lam - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Ireland’s women produced an upset as they stunned world champions New Zealand 29-27 in their opening WXV 1 encounter in Vancouver.

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Replacement Erin King grabbed her second try to level the scores in the last minute, outside-half Dannah O’Brien holding her nerve to land the decisive conversion via the upright.

New Zealand, who face defending champions England on Sunday, had the bulk of possession throughout the game and had three tries ruled out by the TMO, but Ireland stood firm and seized their chances to run in five tries.

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Hooker Atlanta Lolohea got New Zealand off to a fast start, grabbing the opening score after nine minutes.

Renee Holmes added the conversion and was on target again with a penalty after Ireland flanker Aoife Wafer had gone over for the first of her two tries.

Wafer touched down again just after the half-hour, Gloucester-Hartpury hooker Neve Jones also crossing before the break as Ireland opened a surprise 17-10 lead.

But the world champions were level at the break, wing Katelyn Vahaakolo scoring at the end of the half with Holmes adding the conversion.

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Fixture
WXV 1
New Zealand Womens
27 - 29
Full-time
Ireland Womens
All Stats and Data

Holmes put New Zealand back in front with a penalty just before the hour, but that was all they could manage with Irish prop Niamh O’Dowd in the sin bin.

King’s first try put Ireland back ahead, but thoughts of a shock result appeared to have been ended when Mererangi Paul rounded off a sweeping move, Holmes adding her third conversion for a five-point lead.

But Ireland would not lie down and after relentless late pressure, King powered over for her second to set up O’Brien’s clinching penalty.

Ireland face hosts Canada in their next game on Saturday.

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Comments

6 Comments
C
Cosmo 9 days ago

Wow.! the women's team is emulating the men's team. Good for them..

C
CN 9 days ago

Ok it's sunk in now. Huge congratulations to Ireland, SB has added to his coaching team and I dare say that has had an impact. The greatest impact no doubt is the IRFU shamed into finally resourcing women's rugby properly.

T
Terry24 9 days ago

After taking the Irish mens team 100 years to beat NZ, the Irish women beat them after 10 years and on their third attempt.

Phenomenal perfromance and result. Amazing the upward curve of thsi team once resources are put in place. Shameful the neglect up until recently.

Massive well done to the Irish women. Go n-éirí an bóthar libh!

C
CN 9 days ago

Ireland have beaten them twice in three meetings, they are the only team to have a better win/loss ratio against the Black Ferns

C
CN 9 days ago

What??!!

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