New Zealand 12 – 23 Ireland

Ireland score through Andrew Porter tries (two), plus three Johnny Sexton penalties and two conversions as Ireland post first-ever win over All Blacks in New Zealand – and their fourth over them in six years; Test also saw three yellow cards (two NZ, one Ireland) and All Blacks red card

Andrew Porter scored twice as Ireland created history with victory over the All Blacks in New Zealand for the very first time

Two tries from Andrew Porter and 13 points from Johnny Sexton saw Ireland record a historic 23-12 win over the All Blacks in New Zealand after Angus Taavao’s red card, levelling the three-Test series at 1-1.

A chaotic first half saw Porter score just three minutes in, All Blacks wing Leicester Faingaanuku yellow carded – and fortunate not to be red carded for a leading shoulder to the face of Mack Hansen – and then tighthead Ofa Tu’ungafasi also sin-binned for a tackle off the ball on Garry Ringrose, an incident which should have seen Ireland awarded a penalty try.

That all proceeded Taavao’s red card after a TMO review, due to a sickening head-on-head clash with Garry Ringrose, leaving South African referee Jaco Peyper little option but to dismiss the replacement prop.

Despite facing 14 men for the majority of a first half they dominated, 13 for some time – and even 12 for a play when uncontested scrums came as a result of the red card – Ireland failed to add to their score before the break.

It appeared significant when Beauden Barrett got over for an All Blacks try in the final play of their first half in virtually their first attack, as Ireland second row James Ryan was sin-binned for repeated infringements.

Despite the opening nine minutes of the second half starting 14 vs 14, it was Ireland who began to dictate play again, as Porter powered over for his second try, before skipper Sexton added two further penalties.

More to follow…

What’s next?

Ireland conclude their three-Test series vs the All Blacks in a week’s time on Saturday, July 16, live on Sky Sports Action from 7.30am (8.05am kick off).

That Test is in Wellington – the scene of the British and Irish Lions’ Test victory over the All Blacks in 2017 – as Ireland, having made history with a first ever win in New Zealand, now seek an unprecedented series victory.