PARIS (AP) — New Zealand was thought to have showed too much razzle-dazzle and met not enough resistance to seriously trouble top-ranked Ireland going into their Rugby World Cup quarterfinal on Saturday.
The All Blacks racked up a ridiculous 36 tries and 240 points in swatting aside Italy, Uruguay and Namibia to finish the pool stage.
Who knew the focus should have been on the defense, which conceded only two tries and 20 points across those three matches.
Often overlooked for their defensive prowess, the All Blacks reminded the other title contenders with a masterclass to upset the Irish 28-24 and knock them out in a second straight quarterfinal.
“Sometimes the sweetest victories,” New Zealand coach Ian Foster said, “are when your opponents play really well and test you to the limit.”
Four years ago, the All Blacks steamrollered their quarterfinal in Japan by 46-14, handing Ireland its worst Rugby World Cup defeat.
New Zealand appeared to be surprisingly heading that way again at Stade de France as it opened with 30 phases of slick handling and breakdown protection and zoomed to 13-0. All three of their tries were highlights but New Zealand's ability to stop the Irish and get back in line quickly for the next green wave was the most astonishing.
Ireland was flustered at times but kept coming, and the pressure forced All Blacks Aaron Smith and Codie Taylor to the sin-bin.
“I kind of didn't notice (they were gone),” All Blacks No. 8 Ardie Savea said. “We had to dig deep into our blackness.”
In the 20 minutes Smith and Taylor were absent, Ireland earned 14 points but gave up a crucial three. That was in the 69th minute, when Jordie Barrett was pulled off the ball by Conor Murray and sent the penalty flying between the posts to put New Zealand up 28-24, forcing Ireland to score a try to win.
Moments later, Barrett went down in lore when Ireland motored a lineout maul toward the tryline and drove Ronan Kelleher over. The Irish appeared to finally have their go-ahead score but Barrett trapped the 110-kilogram replacement hooker with his stomach and thighs and prevented him from scoring.
“Jordie had a role and did it well. It wasn't by chance. It was a big moment,” Foster said.
It was as close as Ireland got again
The All Blacks were immense in defense, notably captain Sam Cane, who was once derided by Irish opposite Peter O'Mahony as a poor man's Richie McCaw. Cane led his team with 21 tackles and two turnovers. Scott Barrett had 18 tackles, Savea 17 and a turnover, and 2015 veteran Brodie Retallick 16. A dozen All Blacks were in double figures for tackles.
They made 230 to Ireland's 159, and missed 31 for a success rate of 82%.
The Irish had one more crack at them with three minutes to go.
Jimmy O'Brien fielded an up-and-under 70 meters out. Six phases later, Ireland was in All Blacks territory. The Irish were rolling. Passes, flicks, heads down into contact, and blowing All Blacks off rucks. One pass was dropped but Bundee Aki recovered the ball. Ireland was grinding its way upfield but after 20 phases, players were starting to walk.
After 22 phases, the clock went into red.
After 25 phases, Ireland was at the New Zealand 22.
Savea thought he trapped Kelleher for a turnover penalty but Ireland recycled yet again and Aaron Smith implored Savea to get back up and stop complaining to the touchline official.
After 37 phases and more than five minutes with the ball, Ireland was 10 meters from the tryline when Kelleher was trapped by grey-bearded Sam Whitelock, the most capped player in World Cup history, and Ireland finally lost possession and the quarterfinal was New Zealand's.
“Our ability to defend our line for 30-plus phases at the end, that's huge,” Cane said. “What an atmosphere, what a game. I'm just really happy to have another week.”
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AP Rugby World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
