PARIS – It was on Thursday that Ian Foster spoke about Ireland carrying a World Cup burden. That burden will be all that much heavier for Ireland now after failing to progress past the quarter-finals yet again after falling agonisingly close in the game of the tournament.
Indeed, the world No.1 side is out after Ian Foster’s All Blacks snapped Ireland’s 17-match unbeaten streak and exacted revenge following last year’s home series defeat. By doing so, they ensured their own record of 18, which they share with England, remained in tact.
Despite twice only holding a one-point lead, including at 25-24 when hooker Codie Taylor was sent to the sin bin for collapsing the maul as Ireland received a penalty try, the All Blacks led from start to finish and ultimately prevailed 28-24.
Will Jordan and Aaron Smith celebrate following the All Blacks’ epic quarter-final win over Ireland at Stade de France on October 14, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Jordie Barrett’s ability to get under Irish replacement hooker Ronan Kelleher in the 72nd minute and deny Ireland from scoring a try proved telling.
Then, New Zealand was forced to defend 37 phases to win the Test.
Inspirational second-rower Sam Whitelock, who is bidding to become the first player to win three World Cups, got on the ball to win his side a penalty in the 83rd minute to send them into a fourth straight semi-final.
Whitelock, 35, celebrated at once from the floor after Wayne Barnes awarded the lock the penalty for showing the strength to withstand Ireland’s clearance. His roars echoed throughout the stadium.
Rieko Ioane and Aaron Smith celebrate as Garry Ringrose looks dejected following the epic World Cup quarter-final at the Stade de France on October 14, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
It continued a month of celebrations for the veteran lock, who overtook Richie McCaw to become the All Blacks’ most capped player against Italy and then ran out for his 150th Test against Uruguay in Lyon last week.
His 151st match against Ireland, played in front of 78,845 fans at the Stade de France in a nation known for its fine grapes, showed he continues to age like a fine wine. The player beside him as he made the crucial breakdown penalty was his long-time second row partner Brodie Retallick.
“Fantastic. We all knew it was going to be a monster game. We had been talking about it all week – and it was. It was a real arm wrestle,” Foster said.
“They’re a proud team, Ireland, they really hung in there. I thought we had them a couple of times but they kept making the game really tight.
“I am so proud of the way we played. Our defence, particularly in that last part, was brilliant.”
Foster credited the All Blacks’ cool heads for prevailing at the death.
“I thought we were really good. We were disciplined, we held our cool,” he said.
“I thought defensively we made some shifts and found a way of stopping their line breaks coming to us. It just became a game of patience in the end and we did it well.”
Sam Whitelock reacts following the All Blacks’ quarter-final win over Ireland at Stade de France on October 14, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
As the All Blacks celebrated their best performance under Foster and their greatest performance since the 2015 World Cup, Ireland’s hearts sunk as once.
This result will take years to get over. Will they ever get past it?
Ireland could not have been better prepared and were superb against the All Blacks. They played their part in a remarkable knockout match.
“I’m very proud of the boys, the nation, we couldn’t have done any more, it’s just fine margins,” Ireland’s 38-year-old captain Johnny Sexton said.
“They sucker-punched us on a few tries and that’s what champion teams do. We knew they were a great side and we fell just short unfortunately.
“It’s been amazing. This six weeks has been a dream – this group, these fans and I’m just gutted we couldn’t do it for them.”
His coach Andy Farrell added: “I’m unbelievably proud of the group, everyone that’s been involved over the last couple of years. That was one hell of a game and somebody had to lose – unfortunately it was us tonight.”
Bundee Aki looks dejected at full-time following Ireland’s loss at Stade de France on October 14, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Many will point to the lobsided nature of the draw, with the top four nations meeting each other in the quarter-finals.
Had they come up against any one of Argentina, Wales, England or Fiji and it seems impossible to imagine Ireland not progressing through to the final four.
But no amount of tears and finger pointing at World Rugby for doing the draw three years ago will do anything.
More to come
Christy Doranhttps://https://ift.tt/HrVbClP phases and OUT! Whitelock the hero as All Blacks win epic RWC QF to break Ireland’s hearts again
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