Ireland recorded a famous series win over the All Blacks, a 2-1 series win, their first on New Zealand soil, battling hard for a 32-22 win in Wellington this morning.

It went all their way in the opening half leading 22-3 at the break, signs on for a record breaking home loss for New Zealand, second half surge by them almost costing Ireland, guts and determination seeing them write their names in the history books.

Ireland started with intent, a frantic opening 60 seconds saw them threaten early, Sam Cane tackled an Irish man off the ball and this would be the build up to the game’s opening try, second kicked for the corner from the penalty, the lineout was perfect leading to the heave from the maul, Josh Van Der Flier touching down for the opening score after four minutes, Sexton missing the conersio, 5-0 early on as New Zealand conceded early once more.

Jordie Barrett had the first opportunity at points for the hosts, rather uncharastically for the full back his long range penalty went left of the posts, the hometown boy unable to give them ground in the cake tin. Tough tackling by Ireland early showed just how up for it they were,  forcing the All Blacks into countless errors.

Barrett would get a second bite of the cherry after 22 minutes, Ireland penalised for not rolling away which gave him a kick right in front of the posts, the tap over making it 5-3, all coming from a 50-22 kick which left thek carved open at the back, harsh call for the penalty a fiesty game in the opening half.

Hugo Keenan reaped the rewards of an Irish turnover to score their second try of the contest, crispy passing and silky offloads, saw New Zealand at sixes and sevens with Keenan bursting down the line to touch down, Sexton’s conversion extended the lead to 12-3, in doing so he passed the 1000 All Time Test Point mark.

Sexton has been a crucial leader for this team and once more from the tee he gave Ireland hope of a series win, New Zealand sloppily making unnecessary decisions and from range Sexton split the uprights landing a monster penalty. 

Ireland smelt blood and with the All Blacks defence unable to cope at the moment, brilliant interchange play saw them cross for a third try before the interval, Robbie Henshaw with his ninth try in green, Sexton setup Bundee Aki Henshaw was on his shoulder and with the gap opening he crossed with ease, Sexton again made no mistakes with the conversion, the kick cementing his legacy in green as he broke the 1000 mark for his country, Ireland ahead 22-3 at half-time.

On the verge of their heaviest defeat on home soil the All Blacks came out swinging at the start of the second half, laying siege to the irish line their first time really coming close all game, after 18 phases they went wide and after more patient play Ardie Savea spotted a gap to exploit and touch down, TMO needed but Barrett added the extras, just 12 between them early in the half. 

New Zealand were licking their lips as Ireland were weak at the back, Andrew Porter was sent to the bin and once they had a chance they struck for a second, Akira Ioane powering over to cut the gap once more, whatever was said at the break worked wonders. Will Jordan made it a three point game on the hour mark as he raced through to add their third try.

Ireland made changes and with a full 15 back on the field, they stopped the All Black surge through a Rob Herring try, he stretched to make the line of a driving maul from the lineout, Sexton making it 32-22 with the conversion, Ireland breathing a sigh of relief.