At the end of a quarter-final of tremendous intensity and suspense, New Zealand eliminates Ireland and qualifies for the semi-finals of the World Cup.
23:40 – Good night everyone and see you tomorrow!
Thank you everyone for joining us to follow this exciting quarter-final between New Zealand and Ireland. See you tomorrow for the rest of the quarter-final program and in particular the match at 9 p.m. between France and South Africa, the reigning world champion.
23:35 – A semi-final of known
By winning at the end of the suspense against Ireland, New Zealand validates its ticket for the semi-finals of the world Cup rugby 2023 where she will meet Argentina, who fell earlier in the day to Wales. The second semi-final will be known tomorrow at the end of the last two quarter-finals: England-Fiji and France-South Africa.
23:30 – Dark night for Ireland, match summary
You had to see their dejected faces, turned towards the ground, the wet gaze of Johnny Sexton, seeking support and comfort wherever he could. Moments earlier, referee Wayne Barnes had just awarded a penalty to New Zealand and dashed Ireland’s hopes. In the New Zealand 22 meters, Whitelock, with his 151 caps, placed his huge hands on the ball and pinned the Irish carry to the ground, putting an end to a monumental sequence of more than 30 playing times.
Having left their camp, the Greens, pushed by their public who came in large numbers to the Stade de France and who never stopped raising their voices, had pounded until they were out of breath without managing to cross the black wall erected in front of them. An action as a symbol of the formidable battle which had just taken place in Saint-Denis, an echo of the first movement triggered by the All Blacks two hours earlier to launch this shock on a crazy basis of intensity.
Seeing his two teams go blow for blow, responding with such ferocity and virtuosity, because it takes so much to keep the ball so much and commit so few mistakes in view of the speed deployed and the harshness of the shocks, we would have preferred that it was a final or that there was no winner. The Irish and New Zealanders delivered a rugby recital where the triple world champions first took control and never let go again. With desire and professionalism, they were able to be realistic to open up a first gap with Fainga’Anuku in particular. A one-sided first twenty minutes before the men in green wake up and take this quarter-final into a new dimension. At the break, they had responded to the Blacks’ two tries and chipped away at their deficit, reduced from 13 to 1 point, while temporarily taking out Aaron Smith (yellow card).
We then thought that the Irish machine would end up trampling on the opposing defense but Savea and Cane multiplied and dragged their teammates with them to stand up. Better still, on a placement error, Mo’unga went straight out of the touchline, dropped off van der Flier and went to put Jordan into orbit 70 meters further. The Irish had failed to take advantage of their numerical superiority and the second after the penalty try awarded following a foul by Taylor did not achieve anything either. Once again, at one point, they conceded two penalties in a row and found themselves pushed back four lengths. Not enough to discourage them. In the 22 meters, Aki snatched a penalty which Sexton played into touch. In the process, Kelleher believed he could become the hero of the green people but as he threw himself into the goal, he was surrounded by Beauden Barrett. The Irish luck had just passed.
Sexton and his team gave their all in the minutes that followed, eight long minutes, five of which were relentlessly pounding a defense that never let up. Until finally this scratching of the totemic Whitelock. More than a twirling team, New Zealand showed that it also knew how to cash in. At the end of themselves, the Irish admitted defeat, proud to have shown their value unlike 2019 but devastated to see themselves condemned to another dark night. In tears, Sexton said goodbye to his dreams of a world title after a sensational evening. Once again, the rest of the story will be written with the All Blacks and without the clover.
23:20 – The Irish series ends
Undefeated for 17 matches, Ireland will not continue their formidable series and will not equal the record of 18 consecutive victories established by England. The XV of Clover had not lost since July 2022, against…New Zealand (19-42).
23:15 – Sexton’s farewell
Ireland’s early elimination in the quarter-finals hastened the end of Jonathan Sexton’s international career. At the age of 38, the opener, scorer and playing master of the XV du Trèfle bows out. Although he will not have been able to achieve his world dream, he has four successes in the Six Nations Tournament to his name, including two Grand Slams in 2018 and 2023.
23:05 – New Zealand is there
At the cost of a top-notch performance and pushed to their limits by Ireland, New Zealand will be there for the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup. The three-time world champions reached the final four for the 9th time in 10 appearances in the event.
22:59 – The Irish curse
They thought they had come of age and would be able to break the glass ceiling of the quarter-finals but Ireland’s hopes were once again crushed by reality. World number 1, they were unable to get the better of New Zealand and failed for the eighth time at this stage of the competition. Ireland are still cursed in the World Cup.
22:52 – New Zealand defeats Ireland (24-28)
At the end of a memorable fight, New Zealand beat Ireland and reached the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup. United in defense around Savea and Cane, the All Blacks were able to contain the Irish fury in the final moments and overcome two yellow cards to win. For their part, the Irish failed once again in the quarter-finals and saw their dreams shattered.
22:50 – Whitelock buries Irish hopes!
With a final strike, Whitelock manages to stay on his feet and throws the Irishman to the ground. Mr. Barnes gives the penalty to New Zealand who emerged victorious from this final fight. The All Blacks will see the semi-finals.
22:49 – In the New Zealand 22 meters
The Irish do not lose the ball. Out of breath, they are 30 minutes into the game and continue to pound the New Zealand defense in the hope of breaking it. The showdown is colossal.
22:44 – Ireland’s last chance
The Irish are forced to move up the entire field and increase the playing time. They sweep the entire field with precision and are 40 meters from the opposing goal. They are 4 points behind with 2 minutes remaining in the match. This is the last major offensive. They have to score.
22:43 – Missed drop from Barrett
From the halfway line, Beauden Barrett attempts an improbable drop. His kick is completely missed and goes left. Sexton flattens in his goal, returns 22 meters to follow.
22:42 – Cane exit
In the 74th minute, Sam Cane, the New Zealand captain leaves the pitch. He is replaced for the last minutes by Papali’i.
22:39 – Barrett avoids the Irish try (24-28)
Behind a good touch, the Irish forwards advance with their maul and Kelleher sees himself going into the in-goal but he is received by Beauden Barrett who prevents him from flattening. Decisive action from the New Zealand fullback 8 minutes from the end of regulation time.
22:38 – Aki contests on the ground
5 meters from the goal, Aki defeats his opponent and collects a penalty. The Irish go into touch.
22:36 – Penalty from Jordie Barrett (24-28)
Facing the posts, 25 meters away, Jordie Barrett does not tremble this time and gives his team four lengths ahead.
22:36 – Murray at fault
On a New Zealand candle, Murray unbalances Beauden Barrett in the air and concedes a penalty against the posts.
22:34 – Missed penalty from Jordie Barrett (24-25)
After another penalty collected in the scrum, Jordie Barrett tries his luck stuck on the touchline on the right. From 40 meters, he rolls his penalty too far which passes to the left of the posts.
22:30 – Yellow card for Taylor
Guilty of collapsing the maul and conceding the penalty try, Taylor is penalized with a yellow card and will leave his partners at 14 for the next 10 minutes.
22:29 – Penalty try for Ireland (24-25)
The throw into touch is perfectly taken in the middle of the alignment by Beirne. The maul is structured and penetrates the New Zealand defense. He is knocked down by Taylor. Mr. Barnes gives Ireland a penalty try which comes within one point. It’s madness at the Stade de France.
22:28 – New Zealand triple change
In the 63rd minute, Foster changed three elements to his team. He recalls Groot, Lomax and Fainga’Anuku to the bench to launch Williams, Newell and Lienert-Brown into the battle.
22:27 – Whitelock at fault
5 meters from his goal, Whitelock brings the Irish ball carrier to the ground but does not get out of the group despite the good challenge from Fainga’Anuku. Penalty for Ireland who insist on touchline.
22:25 – Cane takes over Keenan
The Irish are on the offensive and Lowe joins the attacking line to serve as a relay and open the interval for Keenan who infiltrates there. He enters the 22 meters but is greeted by an authoritarian tackle from Cane. The Blacks are in place in defense.