For the first time in their history, Ireland beat the All Blacks in New Zealand (12-23) this Saturday morning.

Fact: A history-making feat

Six years ago, the Irish won their Chicago First win against the All Blacks After twenty-eight unsuccessful tests. This Saturday morning, Jonathan Sexton and his partners put on a new performance that will remain etched in our memories. They landed these same blacks on New Zealand soil for the first time in history (12-23).

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The Irish have won 4 of their last 7 matches against the All Blacks, a 57% win rate. After their first win over the New Zealanders in Chicago in 2016, they did it again in 2018 in Dublin (16-9) and then last fall, at the Aviva Stadium (29-20). A stadium where blacks won in 2016. The New Zealanders notably defeated the Irish in the quarter-finals of the 2019 World Cup in Japan (46-14). They won again last week (42-19). The two teams will meet for the last time this summer next Saturday (9:05 am). To bring this balance sheet back into balance?

Game: 12-23

Choked last week at Oakland (42-19), the Irish played their second high-level Test in Dunedin this Saturday. They dominated the New Zealanders territorially in the first period and took a quick lead in the third minute (0-7) with a powerful try from Porter following Bayne’s move. After a quarter of an hour of play they led by 10 points (0-10) after a penalty from Sexton, 100% on foot, who celebrates his 37th birthday on Monday.

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Out of control, the Blacks spent most of the game in overdrive, picking up two yellow cards and a red in the first half. A wonderful effort from Beauden Barrett in the 40th gave them hope. But on the way back from the locker room, another try from Porter (49) and penalties from Sexton (56, 67) put the Irish out of danger. New Zealand’s final burst (Jordan’s try in the 78th minute) was nothing short of epic.

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This is the number of cards dealt in the first period of the match. On the All Blacks side, Fainga’anuku and Tungafazi (26th) received a yellow following a contact in the face with Hanson (17th). Tavao was shown red after making dangerous contact with Ringrose’s head in a tackle. Among the Irish players, James Ryan received his 39th yellow card for unplay.