1
Ireland player ratings vs All Blacks | Rugby World Cup 2023
By Finn Morton
Ireland’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final curse rages on. Coming into the knockout rounds on the back of an impressive 17-Test unbeaten run, Ireland were sent packing by the All Blacks.
ADVERTISEMENT
The All Blacks took the lead through a Richie Mo’unga penalty goal in the seventh minute and didn’t look back. Ireland mounted a late attack in the hopes of winning but fell short, losing 28-24.
Their quarter-final hoodoo continues. They’re now 0-8 at this stage of the competition. Here’s how Ireland rated.
- Hugo Keenan – 5.5/10
Fullback Hugo Keenan was safe out the back but didn’t really offer much against a rampaging All Blacks outfit. Keenan only carried the ball a couple of times and made seven tackles, and didn’t have a huge say in Ireland’s potential comeback late in the second term.
- Mack Hansen – 5.5
Australian-born wing Mack Hansen left the field in a world of hurt about 15 minutes into the second half. Hansen missed training earlier this week due to a calf injury and that appeared to be the problem once again as he was helped from the field. It was a tough blow for Ireland with Hansen one of the team’s better players during the second term.
With a compression sock around his calf, wing Mack Hansen sent the Ireland crowd into a frenzy with an electrifying line break during the first half – but Hansen really came alive in his 15 minutes on the park after the break. Hansen converted a 50/22 and looked threatening with the ball in hand.
- Garry Ringrose – 6.5
Garry Ringrose impressed during the opening term with some purposeful carries with the ball. The centre was among the team leaders for runs by HT, which included an eye-catching line break just after Bundee Aki’s try.
- Bundee Aki- 7.5
Once again, Bundee Aki was clearly Ireland’s best player. The New Zealand-born centre ran with purpose and intent every time he got his hands on the ball, and it worked wonders with the No. 12 getting over the gain line each and every time. It caused New Zealand problems too. Aki also scored Ireland’s first try as he beat Rieko Ioane, Shannon Frizell and Tyrel Lomax to cross for the score.
- James Lowe – 3
James Lowe had one of his worst performances in an Irish jersey. Lowe dropped the ball behind him and over the sideline with his first touch, and this practically summed up the wing’s off night at Stade de France. Lowe wasn’t just off, he was ineffective in practically all facets of the game.
- Johnny Sexton – 7
First things first, congratulations Johnny Sexton on a brilliant rugby career. The Ireland captain played his last Test on Saturday – there would be no fairytale World Cup triumph that Sexton so rightly deserved. Instead, it was more All Blacks heartbreak.
Everything went through Sexton, as you’d expect. With Ireland looking to mount attack after attack with time up on the clock, the ball went to the veteran flyhalf. Sexton looked threatening, but it wasn’t to be. Sexton only missed one shot at goal but it was a costly one with the match coming down to the wire.
Ireland couldn’t quite get things going early on against the All Blacks and a lot of that, unfortunately, comes back to halfback Jamison Gibson-Park. The New Zealand-born No. 9 was playing at a team different tempo to his Irish teammates in attack and they couldn’t keep up. Ireland players were caught isolated on multiple occasions during the first-term, but there were moments were the fast-paced play worked wonders.
Gibson-Park finished the half with a decisive try just before the half-time break. The scrum-half caught Will Jordan in two minds as he sliced through the All Blacks’ defence for the score. But overall, it was a frustrating night for Gibson-Park with the halfback making some telling errors after the break.
- Andrew Porter – 5
Prop Andrew Porter was relatively impressive for Ireland during the opening term. Watching on from the grandstand at Stade de France it was impossible to miss the tireless front-rower who finished the first half with the most carries out of any Irish player. Porter was penalised inside the opening minute, though, which was a blip on an otherwise strong performance. Porter was on the field for 75 minutes though and deserves some plaudits for that.
- Dan Sheehan – 5.5
Hooker Dan Sheehan worked hard around the park – carrying the ball 10 times, which was a particular highlight – and was largely accurate at the set-piece. Sheehan had a lineout won against the throw by All Black Ardie Savea during the first term, but this wasn’t the norm at the set-piece.
- Tadhg Furlong – 5.5
Tadhg Furlong was a defensive work-horse for Ireland on Saturday evening. Furlong made 11 tackles, which saw him finish among the leaders for Ireland by the time he was replaced 10 minutes into the second-half. Ireland were bested at the set-piece, although Furlong held his own in an individual battle with All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot.
- Tadhg Beirne – 6
On a tough night for Ireland, lock Tadgh Beirne threw everything he could at a relentless All Blacks side. Beirne finished with the equal-most tackles out of any Irish player with 17 and also contributed to a steady set-piece. Not a brilliant performance but not a poor one either.
- Iain Henderson – 5.5
Veteran lock Iain Henderson jogged off the field at Stade de France after a disappointing night against New Zealand. Ireland struggled to take any ascendency on the Test and that reflects on Henderson’s rating. While the Irish’ set-piece was sound, Henderson was ineffective for long stretches of this nail-biting quarter-final.
- Peter O’Mahony – 5.5
Playing his 101st Test match, Peter O’Mahony was uncharacteristically quiet against the All Blacks. O’Mahony went missing, for long periods of the Test too. But to his credit, the blindside flanker plied his trade in the dark arts of rugby – finishing with 15 tackles and some decent work at the breakdown.
- Josh van der Flier – 6
Some may disagree with this but Josh van der Flier was one of Ireland’s best during the first-half in particular. The world-class openside flanker was in the thick of the action early and carried that form throughout the rest of his time on the field. Van der Flier finished with the equal-most tackles out of any Irish player.
That being said, while the No. 7 seemed to be everywhere, not a lot paid off for him. Van der Flier had a tough night at the breakdown, missed a couple of key tackles, and was penalised in the 18th minute for not releasing the ball. Van der Flier was good in moments, but in reflection was not great.
- Caelan Doris – 6
Ireland have 55% of possession against the All Blacks, but like a lot of his teammates, Number Eight Caelan Doris made his mark on the defensive side of the ball. The backrower finished the night with an impressive 13 tackles and only two carries.
ADVERTISEMENT
Replacements:
- Ronan Kelleher – 6
- Dave Kilcoyne – 5
- Finlay Bealham – 5.5
- Joe McCarthy – 6
- Jack Conan – 6.5
- Conor Murray – 5.5
- Jack Crowley – N/A
- Jimmy O’Brien – 6.5 – Looked really good off the bench. Replaced injured wing Mack Hansen.
These rankings are atrocious they all played their guts out. Only lost by 4 points. Grow up.
I am absolutely fed up listening the media all mentioning that Ireland have three Kiwi's born AKI, Gibson-Park & James Lowe in our team MEANWHILE
The Kiwi’s have been doing this for decades- Currently Ethan De Groot is an Aussie / Tyrel Lomax –Australia U20s Tonga Born Samisoni Taukei’aho –Former Tonga U19s Samipeni Finau – Tongan - Shannon Frizzell/ Forner Tonga U20s Leicester Fainga’anuku – Tongan Samoa Born - Nepo Laulala – Emoni Narawa –Fiji Born and raised lastly Finley Christie is Scottish
Mention both teams foreign players if that is what you want to tell you readers.
NZ have been raiding all the South Pacific Islands for their best players for decades
When I heard what O Mahoney said to Cane, whom I think is a gentleman, I just knew it would come back to bite O Mahoney. Bok supporter.
NZ were better than IRL on the day. Don’t understand so many comments criticising O’Mahony and Sexton. I can assure New Zealanders that Peter and Johnny, all Ireland players and all Irish rugby supporters have huge respect for the All Blacks. Don’t believe everything you read
So who’s the budget Richie McCaw now Peter O Mahnoy words are cheap when you winning but they catch up when you lose , disrespect works both ways , Sam Cane and ABs dont go down that path , but he certainly out played you by mile’s.
As for Johnny Sexton you will never know what if feels like to win a RWC . I note both you and coach Farrell had a difficult time at the aftermatch media conference saying NZ or All Blacks why ??? Coach Foster praised Ireland walked the field shook every players hands as a sign of respect , maybe that’s not the Northern Hemisphere way.
And didn’t Farrells words sound alot like Simon Middletons , after the Red Roses lost RWC after a 30 match winning streak.
BS over last couple years by the Irish and the Northern media amounts to just that BS , Yes Ireland have won 5 games but remember AllBlacks have won 37 .
Worls Rankings who cares , how can you be World number one without winning a WORLD CUP .
Ka mate
Ka mate
51/2 for that shyte Sam Cane? Harsh on Gibson Park. I think he was expecting a better result from his ball carriers.
Two new Zealand born players scored Irish tries. They need more southern hemisphere imports
The 4 for Gibson Park is very unfair. In my view he was far better than that, probably a 6. I would have kept him on the field. Murray is way slower, and Craig Casey would have been a better pick on the day, as back up 9.
I think shell shocked would be a good overall assessment for the Irish performance. It was one of those wake up call ‘hang on they're playing better than we are’ moments which so few sportsmen are prepared for. Yes, they're going to stop you playing. Yes, they're going to stop you winning. So with their heads collectively all over the place down to defeat they went. And there in lies the answer. Believe your own publicity without a solution to match your opponents play and you will lose. But how well the All Blacks had to play to win should be solace enough for Irish supporters. I was delighted with the result.
Sexton was useless had no impact on the game, ringrose was decent and so was James Lowe, all the media and most of the pundits wrote of the all blacks after 2 losses to South Africa and France