Ireland………………………………32
New Zealand………………………22
A historic victory in Wellington saw Ireland become the first side in the professional era to win a test series in New Zealand.
After the first game hammering two weeks ago such a scenario seemed highly unlikely to put it mildly but today Andy Farrell’s side delivered big time. When it mattered most, they played their very best rugby. They were merciless and callous when they had the ball in the opening half, scoring three first-half tries in the first 40 minutes which was built on the patient, composed defence.
The second half was about determination. When the New Zealand onslaught arrived, it was like the days of old. Ireland was torn to shreds early in the second half but continued to patch themselves together.
Every time they took a blow, they threw one back.
And in the end, they thoroughly deserved both the victory and the raucous celebrations that followed.
