Rugby World Cup, All Blacks-Ireland 28-24, New Zealand in the semi-final

It was supposed to be an early final, so it was: the All Blacks return to play as All Blacks and win 28-24 despite 20 minutes in 14 players due to yellows for Smith and Taylor. Ireland does not break the curse of the quarter-finals, interrupts the series of 17 consecutive victories and also gives up the top ranking throne to New Zealand (for one night, then France and South Africa will play it) in a match that would not have disfigured in place of any final of the previous editions of the World Cup. The performance of an amazing Jordie Barrett was decisive, as was the 21 tackles of captain Sam Cane, who was both criticized and decisive this evening. The All Blacks will have Argentina’s turn.

The message of the “8”

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Moreover, it was clear from the Haka that it was a match out of the ordinary: during the execution the Irish lined up in an “8”, as in 2016 in Chicago when they defeated the All Blacks for the first time, and honored the memory of Antony Foley, former Irish number 8 who passed away shortly before.

At a crazy pace

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The All Blacks start at full speed: the first assault lasts 6 minutes and 30 phases, but in the end the New Zealanders have to “settle” for 3 points with Mo’unga. In the 14th minute Jordie Barrett made it 6-0 with a missile from midfield, but it was in the 19th minute that the All Blacks’ crazy pace yielded the first try: Beauden Barrett kicked for himself and pierced the Irish defense, taking a crazy tackle from Lowe but manages to put the ball back available. Fainga’Anuku receives on the left, exchanges with Rieko Ioane and makes it 13-0 with Mo’Unga’s conversion. Ireland changes script and the second kick of their match sends him between the posts with Sexton, then Bundee Aki goes wild, taking charge of the team in the most difficult moment, avoiding 4 tackles and scoring the goal to make it 13-10. New Zealand takes a while to absorb the blow, then on the half hour mark they accelerate and strike again: the forwards do most of the work, Jordie Barrett and Ioane finish and Savea finishes for 18-10. The All Blacks seem to be in control, but Aaron Smith makes a big deal in the 36th minute: a voluntary advance costs him a yellow card, and with the extra man Ireland pushes on. Gibson Park chooses the right moment to break away from the advancing maul, sends Jordan to the lands with a feint and scores. Sexton converts and the first half ends with the All Blacks ahead 18-17.

A time of entertainment and madness

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At the start of the second half Ireland still had 6 minutes available with the extra man, but they didn’t make the most of them. Once Smith is recovered, the All Blacks accelerate again and with a blaze from Mo’Unga they send Will Jordan into the goal. Sexton misses an easy kick – a more unique than rare case – but then in the 64th minute Ireland reopens the match: Whitelock misses a throw-in, an overflowing Irish maul, Codie Taylor collapses it irregularly and Barnes awards the technical try, 7 automatic points and yellow to the New Zealand hooker. The protagonist of the final is Jordie Barrett, who first scores the kick to make it 28-24, then saves an already made half by holding Kelleher high in the wake of another overflowing Irish maul. The ending is incredible: Ireland plays 35 phases in the New Zealand half of the field, advances, is increasingly closer to the goal but in the 83rd minute Sam Whitelock gets his hands on the ball which qualifies for the semi-final. It ends 28-24, amidst the tears of the Irish and the joy of the All Blacks, who return – at least for one night – to being the strongest in the world.