Ireland Player Ratings v New Zealand - Third Test

Ireland Player Ratings v New Zealand - Third Test

Ireland dominated a record-breaking first half and held on for a second straight victory in New Zealand to triumph in their three-Test series against the All Blacks.

 

Ireland led by 19 points half-time,  the largest any team has ever enjoyed at that stage of a Test against the All Blacks, and held out to secure a famous series victory becoming just the third side to do so over New Zealand in New Zealand.

 

Here is how we rated the Ireland players in the victory.

 

 

 

1. Andrew Porter - 7 





Porter was probably lucky to just see yellow for his tackle on Brodie Retallick, but he was otherwise brilliant. He was sharp on defence and made a good carry. His maul work will go unnoticed but was crucial to their success there. 

 

2. Dan Sheehan - 7.5

Perfect at the set piece and made 20 metres from his ten carries. He missed a tackle on Akira Ioane that led to a try but otherwise, he was solid. 


 

3. Tadhg Furlong - 8

He held up his end of the scrum as New Zealand got no purchase at the set piece. He was difficult to handle at the breakdown and landed 14 tackles.

 

4. Tadhg Beirne - 9.5

https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/wellington-new-zealand-16-july-2022-tadhg-beirne-of-ireland-is-by-picture-id1241930424?k=20&m=1241930424&s=612x612&w=0&h=IlZtVUbAghK0zGsoA1vrg2Uk2Xgn3jM_eMqTFuDJ7rc=

Beirne was brilliant over the ball and at lineout time as Ireland stifled New Zealand's attack at every opportunity. He won vital turnovers all game, including one in the 73rd minute with the All Blacks attacking with real threat and did it again two minutes later.

 

He made an intercept, was ferocious on defence and carried well. 

 

He has had some incredible performances in the Ireland jersey, and this was one of his greatest.

 

5. James Ryan - 8.5

Ryan picked the All Blacks' lineout apart, tackled and carried strongly and was all over the park. His best game of the Series.

 

6. Peter O'Mahony - 8

 
 
 
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Quieter than last week but just as impactful, claiming a turnover, making his tackles and piled on the pressure at lineout time.

 

7. Josh van der Flier - 9




He will be disappointed about his miss tackle on Akira Ioane, but that was one of the few blunders of his performance as he thundered through his craft. Top tackler for Ireland, carried hard into contact, scored a try.  

 

He also won a huge turnover with the All Blacks in his 22.

 

8. Caelan Doris - 8

Wellington , New Zealand - 16 July 2022; Caelan Doris of Ireland during the Steinlager Series match between the New Zealand and Ireland at Sky Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Only Josh van der Flier made more tackles than the Irish no.8, while Doris also made good metres with the ball in hand. 

 

9. Jamison Gibson-Park - 7.5

Wellington , New Zealand - 16 July 2022; Jamison Gibson Park and Tadhg Furlong of Ireland after their side's victory in the Steinlager Series match between the New Zealand and Ireland at Sky Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Gibson-Park made one silly grubber killing off a promising attack and had some issues under the high ball, but other than that, it was another sharp performance from the scrumhalf. Swift service 

 

10. Johnny Sexton - 8.5




Sexton missed one shot at goal and a conversion, but that was the only blemish on his performance. He marshalled the attack superbly, brought up 1 000 test points, made his tackles, and kept on going until he was replaced with four minutes to go.

 

11. James Lowe - 8

Wellington , New Zealand - 16 July 2022; James Lowe of Ireland kicks under pressure from Will Jordan of New Zealand during the Steinlager Series match between the New Zealand and Ireland at Sky Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

His left foot was a massive weapon for Ireland as he cleared brilliantly out of his half and came close to completing a stellar 50:22. He sent Hugo Keenan through for a try sublimely and gained 38 metres. 

 

12. Bundee Aki - 7.5

He carried into the heart of New Zealand's defence with real brutality. He regularly got over the advantage line and assisted a try but was guilty of missing tackles on defence - six in total.

 

13. Robbie Henshaw - 8.5

Wellington , New Zealand - 16 July 2022; Robbie Henshaw of Ireland celebrates with teammate Andrew Porter after scoring his side's third try during the Steinlager Series match between the New Zealand and Ireland at Sky Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Henshaw timed his run perfectly to score, but his real value was on defence as he suffocated Beauden Barrett and Rieko Ioane.

 

Simply shifted to inside centre in the latter stages. Outstanding performance. 

 

14. Mack Hansen - 7

Some issues under the high ball eary on and charged down with one of his kicks. Took his chance well to score.

 

15. Hugo Keenan - 8

Trademark Keenan performance. He was safe under the high ball, scored a seventh test try and kicked well. 

 

 

RESERVES: 

16. Rob Herring - 8




One misfired lineout but scored a crucial try to see Ireland home. 

 

17. Cian Healy - 7

Two strong cameos.

 

18. Finlay Bealham - 7 

Got just 10 minutes but made each one count. Big shove at the scrum and abrasive around the park. 

 

19. Kieran Treadwell - 6

 

20. Jack Conan - 7

Made six tackles in his short stint.

 

21. Conor Murray - 7

Made two good tackles, one on Mo'unga, and closed the game out nicely with little fuss. 

 

22. Joey Carbery - 7

On for just four minutes in place of Sexton, but his intercept ended any hopes for New Zealand.

 

23. Keith Earls - 6

 
 
 
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