Ireland was defeated by New Zealand in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final match. The loss marked a devastating end to the career of Ireland’s captain Johnny Sexton. Although Ireland had been fancied to at least reach the semi-finals, they could not break their quarter-final curse. New Zealand, however, are on track to win their fourth title following three tries scored by Leicester Fainga’anuku, Ardie Savea and Will Jordan. The All Blacks will now face Argentina in the semi-finals.
Ireland’s Bundee Aki and Jamison Gibson-Park, both New Zealand-born players, scored tries along with a penalty try. But despite the loud Irish contingent of the 78,845-strong crowd, there was no dramatic late comeback. Defeat left the Irish squad to collapse in devastation on the pitch. The All Blacks survived through two yellow-carded players, Aaron Smith and Codie Taylor, to exact their revenge following their loss to the Irish on home soil last year.
Ireland’s hopes of emulating England’s 2003 team by winning a Six Nations Grand Slam and World Cup double were dashed with the defeat. The All Blacks, in contrast, are now highly confident as they move on to face Argentina, who beat Wales 29-17 in Marseille.
The 2019 quarter-final win by New Zealand and Ireland’s subsequent series triumph on Kiwi soil last year built up a sense of rivalry between the teams. As Ireland were talked about as pre-match favourites, the atmosphere was rivalling that of the All Blacks’ loss to France in the opening game and the memorable Irish win over South Africa three weeks ago
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