1
Ireland player ratings vs All Blacks | Rugby World Cup 2023
By Finn Morton
Ireland’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final curse rages on. Coming into the knockout rounds on the back of an impressive 17-Test unbeaten run, Ireland were sent packing by the All Blacks.
ADVERTISEMENT
The All Blacks took the lead through a Richie Mo’unga penalty goal in the seventh minute and didn’t look back. Ireland mounted a late attack in the hopes of winning but fell short, losing 28-24.
Their quarter-final hoodoo continues. They’re now 0-8 at this stage of the competition. Here’s how Ireland rated.
- Hugo Keenan – 5.5/10
Fullback Hugo Keenan was safe out the back but didn’t really offer much against a rampaging All Blacks outfit. Keenan only carried the ball a couple of times and made seven tackles, and didn’t have a huge say in Ireland’s potential comeback late in the second term.
- Mack Hansen – 5.5
Australian-born wing Mack Hansen left the field in a world of hurt about 15 minutes into the second half. Hansen missed training earlier this week due to a calf injury and that appeared to be the problem once again as he was helped from the field. It was a tough blow for Ireland with Hansen one of the team’s better players during the second term.
With a compression sock around his calf, wing Mack Hansen sent the Ireland crowd into a frenzy with an electrifying line break during the first half – but Hansen really came alive in his 15 minutes on the park after the break. Hansen converted a 50/22 and looked threatening with the ball in hand.
- Garry Ringrose – 6.5
Garry Ringrose impressed during the opening term with some purposeful carries with the ball. The centre was among the team leaders for runs by HT, which included an eye-catching line break just after Bundee Aki’s try.
- Bundee Aki- 7.5
Once again, Bundee Aki was clearly Ireland’s best player. The New Zealand-born centre ran with purpose and intent every time he got his hands on the ball, and it worked wonders with the No. 12 getting over the gain line each and every time. It caused New Zealand problems too. Aki also scored Ireland’s first try as he beat Rieko Ioane, Shannon Frizell and Tyrel Lomax to cross for the score.
- James Lowe – 3
James Lowe had one of his worst performances in an Irish jersey. Lowe dropped the ball behind him and over the sideline with his first touch, and this practically summed up the wing’s off night at Stade de France. Lowe wasn’t just off, he was ineffective in practically all facets of the game.
- Johnny Sexton – 7
First things first, congratulations Johnny Sexton on a brilliant rugby career. The Ireland captain played his last Test on Saturday – there would be no fairytale World Cup triumph that Sexton so rightly deserved. Instead, it was more All Blacks heartbreak.
Everything went through Sexton, as you’d expect. With Ireland looking to mount attack after attack with time up on the clock, the ball went to the veteran flyhalf. Sexton looked threatening, but it wasn’t to be. Sexton only missed one shot at goal but it was a costly one with the match coming down to the wire.
Ireland couldn’t quite get things going early on against the All Blacks and a lot of that, unfortunately, comes back to halfback Jamison Gibson-Park. The New Zealand-born No. 9 was playing at a team different tempo to his Irish teammates in attack and they couldn’t keep up. Ireland players were caught isolated on multiple occasions during the first-term, but there were moments were the fast-paced play worked wonders.
Gibson-Park finished the half with a decisive try just before the half-time break. The scrum-half caught Will Jordan in two minds as he sliced through the All Blacks’ defence for the score. But overall, it was a frustrating night for Gibson-Park with the halfback making some telling errors after the break.
- Andrew Porter – 5
Prop Andrew Porter was relatively impressive for Ireland during the opening term. Watching on from the grandstand at Stade de France it was impossible to miss the tireless front-rower who finished the first half with the most carries out of any Irish player. Porter was penalised inside the opening minute, though, which was a blip on an otherwise strong performance. Porter was on the field for 75 minutes though and deserves some plaudits for that.
- Dan Sheehan – 5.5
Hooker Dan Sheehan worked hard around the park – carrying the ball 10 times, which was a particular highlight – and was largely accurate at the set-piece. Sheehan had a lineout won against the throw by All Black Ardie Savea during the first term, but this wasn’t the norm at the set-piece.
- Tadhg Furlong – 5.5
Tadhg Furlong was a defensive work-horse for Ireland on Saturday evening. Furlong made 11 tackles, which saw him finish among the leaders for Ireland by the time he was replaced 10 minutes into the second-half. Ireland were bested at the set-piece, although Furlong held his own in an individual battle with All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot.
- Tadhg Beirne – 6
On a tough night for Ireland, lock Tadgh Beirne threw everything he could at a relentless All Blacks side. Beirne finished with the equal-most tackles out of any Irish player with 17 and also contributed to a steady set-piece. Not a brilliant performance but not a poor one either.
- Iain Henderson – 5.5
Veteran lock Iain Henderson jogged off the field at Stade de France after a disappointing night against New Zealand. Ireland struggled to take any ascendency on the Test and that reflects on Henderson’s rating. While the Irish’ set-piece was sound, Henderson was ineffective for long stretches of this nail-biting quarter-final.
- Peter O’Mahony – 5.5
Playing his 101st Test match, Peter O’Mahony was uncharacteristically quiet against the All Blacks. O’Mahony went missing, for long periods of the Test too. But to his credit, the blindside flanker plied his trade in the dark arts of rugby – finishing with 15 tackles and some decent work at the breakdown.
- Josh van der Flier – 6
Some may disagree with this but Josh van der Flier was one of Ireland’s best during the first-half in particular. The world-class openside flanker was in the thick of the action early and carried that form throughout the rest of his time on the field. Van der Flier finished with the equal-most tackles out of any Irish player.
That being said, while the No. 7 seemed to be everywhere, not a lot paid off for him. Van der Flier had a tough night at the breakdown, missed a couple of key tackles, and was penalised in the 18th minute for not releasing the ball. Van der Flier was good in moments, but in reflection was not great.
- Caelan Doris – 6
Ireland have 55% of possession against the All Blacks, but like a lot of his teammates, Number Eight Caelan Doris made his mark on the defensive side of the ball. The backrower finished the night with an impressive 13 tackles and only two carries.
ADVERTISEMENT
Replacements:
- Ronan Kelleher – 6
- Dave Kilcoyne – 5
- Finlay Bealham – 5.5
- Joe McCarthy – 6
- Jack Conan – 6.5
- Conor Murray – 5.5
- Jack Crowley – N/A
- Jimmy O’Brien – 6.5 – Looked really good off the bench. Replaced injured wing Mack Hansen.
These rankings are atrocious they all played their guts out. Only lost by 4 points. Grow up.
I am absolutely fed up listening the media all mentioning that Ireland have three Kiwi's born AKI, Gibson-Park & James Lowe in our team MEANWHILE
The Kiwi’s have been doing this for decades- Currently Ethan De Groot is an Aussie / Tyrel Lomax –Australia U20s Tonga Born Samisoni Taukei’aho –Former Tonga U19s Samipeni Finau – Tongan - Shannon Frizzell/ Forner Tonga U20s Leicester Fainga’anuku – Tongan Samoa Born - Nepo Laulala – Emoni Narawa –Fiji Born and raised lastly Finley Christie is Scottish
Mention both teams foreign players if that is what you want to tell you readers.
NZ have been raiding all the South Pacific Islands for their best players for decades
What a sook!😂 All those players you mentioned were schooled and learnt all their rugby in NZ. If you haven’t noticed, over half of the ABs NZ born players are also of the same descent. And the 3 amazing kiwis in your Choking team also got their skills from NZ. Let this sink in, all tries in that awesome game were scored by Kiwis!
How is NZ anyway?
What a moron nz are 5th on the list for foreign born players with 9 Ireland are 6th with 8 get the facts
You forgot Joey Carberry, Calum, even if now jettisoned, not to mention Aussies Finlay Bealham, Mack Hansen.
This ‘raiding’ is surely discredited, old hat stuff unearthed a few back by ‘Outraged’ of The S Times, Stephen Jones. You know, the ‘Godfather’ of Shane Howarth, Sonny Parker, ‘Toby’ Felatau for instance.
Ever heard too, the term ‘kilted Kiwis’? Leslie bros, Metcalf, Laney, Longstaff, Simpson, etc.
And unless you’ve been distracted by Braverman’s UK anti-immigration rhetoric, have you missed that PI emigrants are a daily fact of NZ life?
Educate yrself. Whilst doing so you might look up England’s ‘raiding’ of the Pacific, SA. Dates back to c. or even, pre 1900. Stacks of ‘em.
NH been at it plenty, fella.
Play better rugger maybe, or stop shooting the media messenger?
Made an account just to say this. Here you go 🧂🧂🧂🧂
When I heard what O Mahoney said to Cane, whom I think is a gentleman, I just knew it would come back to bite O Mahoney. Bok supporter.
Who is O Mahoney?
NZ were better than IRL on the day. Don’t understand so many comments criticising O’Mahony and Sexton. I can assure New Zealanders that Peter and Johnny, all Ireland players and all Irish rugby supporters have huge respect for the All Blacks. Don’t believe everything you read
Don't believe everything you read bro it literally come out of their mouth isn't not what we read it's what we see actions speak louder than words and the actions of the Irish prove they have no respect for NZ
Respect there’s a lot of hatred on here.
People from South Africa that live in New Zealand are the worst
So who’s the budget Richie McCaw now Peter O Mahnoy words are cheap when you winning but they catch up when you lose , disrespect works both ways , Sam Cane and ABs dont go down that path , but he certainly out played you by mile’s.
As for Johnny Sexton you will never know what if feels like to win a RWC . I note both you and coach Farrell had a difficult time at the aftermatch media conference saying NZ or All Blacks why ??? Coach Foster praised Ireland walked the field shook every players hands as a sign of respect , maybe that’s not the Northern Hemisphere way.
And didn’t Farrells words sound alot like Simon Middletons , after the Red Roses lost RWC after a 30 match winning streak.
BS over last couple years by the Irish and the Northern media amounts to just that BS , Yes Ireland have won 5 games but remember AllBlacks have won 37 .
Worls Rankings who cares , how can you be World number one without winning a WORLD CUP .
Ka mate
Ka mate
You lot must be, by now the most hateful supporters on the world stage ! A few months back and you were ALL ripping into the your team ,after a few losses ,Wanted Foster sacked etc , the O'Mahoney remark was a “ McCaw was a god “ remark ,( which he was ) but seemingly because you beat the world ranked No 1 team you think like you do ???? Ire v NZ ,in the last 10 meetings are 5 apiece wins don't go thinking you're the best , easy group ,well rested ffs wise up ,as for you supporters or so called supporters !!! How many of you made it too the match ???? Yeah ,home supporters only ,gobshites the lot of ye. !
Well, Warner, I think it’s 3 a piece out of the last 6 now. A slightly better ring to it than having 3 out of 5 continually shoved down our throats for the last few yrs?
51/2 for that shyte Sam Cane? Harsh on Gibson Park. I think he was expecting a better result from his ball carriers.
Two new Zealand born players scored Irish tries. They need more southern hemisphere imports
Blame the International Rugby for allowing foreign born players representing another nation
But if that was the case NZ would have two less World Cup victories
Be more like the Springboks
Grow you own talent and spot poaching the best and brightest from the other PI countries
The 4 for Gibson Park is very unfair. In my view he was far better than that, probably a 6. I would have kept him on the field. Murray is way slower, and Craig Casey would have been a better pick on the day, as back up 9.
I think shell shocked would be a good overall assessment for the Irish performance. It was one of those wake up call ‘hang on they're playing better than we are’ moments which so few sportsmen are prepared for. Yes, they're going to stop you playing. Yes, they're going to stop you winning. So with their heads collectively all over the place down to defeat they went. And there in lies the answer. Believe your own publicity without a solution to match your opponents play and you will lose. But how well the All Blacks had to play to win should be solace enough for Irish supporters. I was delighted with the result.
She’ll shocked only if you’re Irish remember you’ve won 5 games v ABs we’ve won 37 so why shell shocked.
Fair assessment. Ireland haven't been beaten at the breakdown in a couple of years and their whole game is built off the back of that quick ruck speed. They lost all of their tempo and had no plan B.
Sexton was useless had no impact on the game, ringrose was decent and so was James Lowe, all the media and most of the pundits wrote of the all blacks after 2 losses to South Africa and France
Lowe had his worst game lol wtf were you watching lol lol
Remember
Ireland 5 wins
ABs 37 wins
You dont gave to look anyfurther than that.
Ireland will have another day, nz v sa final
(kiwi) I just joined up to say these ratings are rubbish. Did you give them the same score when they scored 1 try against the boks? Ireland nearly won! A better bounce of the ball from that crosskick could have been enough. A brilliant game, and the ref didn't interfere too much. I think the boks are the team to beat, and France will lose a final against 15 men.
The player ratings are strange to say the least. Porter was poor, Sexton played merely a link-man and had minimal affect on the game. There was zero impact in the middle of the field with unimaginative attacking prowess.
Agree Bundy Aki was the best of the Ireland players. The set piece was way-off and the line-out 50/50.
Henderson was average at best and looked tired…as did most of the team in the second half. Perhaps the strategy of playing the same 15 in the lead-up games backfired somewhat?
Somehow he didn't notice or comment on Porters tough not in the front row…
What a crock of shit !!! Ireland played their hearts out , They went out against The mighty All Blacks who were in Top form , This was always going to be a game where mistakes were going to cost you dearly , South Africa made mistakes playing Ireland we made a few playing the All Blacks , It's easy to sit back and judge .
This ratings are an absolute travesty. Did Finn watch the same game? Or even bother to look at the stats. First thing you read “Hugo Keenan only made a handful of carries”
Actually he made 12 carries (5th highest in the game) and made a game equalling high of 2 line breaks.
He was a threat all night, and had an outstanding game. 5.5????
Every single analysis is this poor. Bundi Aki a 7.5? Amazing individual try in a tight contest, huge carries all night, can’t find the individual stats for it but he probably had the highest post contact meters of the whole game, he looked like breaking the line every time he had the ball.
These ratings make a mockery of a titanic battle. You would think Ireland didn’t turn up and lost by 40 points.
Just delete this article.
Don't worry about it ,these kiwi Amadáns think by beating Ireland they deserve to come on here and attack the Irish team because they stuffed them a few times recently ,and are blaming the media attack on NZ on the Irish ! While a few months back ALL OF THESE pricks were slagging off their coach foster ,the team ,certain players , but NOW they're back on board boasting their greatness , Ireland didn't make themselves works No 1 ,the media did ,17 games unbeaten did !!! You'd think listening to these AHs we gave ourselves that mantle ffs , c'mon the boks , !
…..those ratings are the opinion of the writer, nothing more, nothing less however, in saying that when you play any All Black side you have to be accurate for 80 minutes in ALL areas of your game, especially in your set pieces. In recent times Ireland have been hugely successful against the All Blacks for this exact reason.
However, going into this match this “average” All Black team “narrative” created by the world rugby media and then bought and echoed by most of the general rugby public help create the spectacle we just witnessed.
The All Blacks literally took the game away from them and that’s why Ireland looked dis-jointed and ineffective for long periods, especially in the first quarter The All Blacks dominance in set play and in the ruck area pressured Ireland into mistakes and turnovers. They had no answer and were playing “catch up” footy the entire game. Scoreboard pressure is probably a good analogy.
I don’t care what world ranking you hold. If you want to beat any All Black team you have to first and foremost execute in your set pieces. Ireland didn’t.
In my opinion those ratings are fair and accurate and reflect exactly my viewpoint.
Sexton 7? Did he play?
Brian O'Driscoll, he earned respect on and off the field.
That Sexton and Mahoney should have taken advice from this guy yes! O Driscoll was a complete package. Not this piss Sexton or Mahoney idiots
To win the abs needed big shifts from Ardie cane retallick Barrett’s whitelock a good shift by frizzle and a solid scrum. That’s why they won, Ireland played very well but the ab old stagers stepped up on the day
MitchO, I think you are spot on in your analysis. The much maligned New Zealand players proved themselves when it really mattered. Savea was outstanding. Cane not far behind. This man was heavily criticised over the last 18 months for being a poor Man's Mccaw , but when the stakes were at their highest he delivered. The ratings in this article are wide of the mark, but the writer is correct that while the Irish forwards did reasonably well in defense, offensively they were bested. This is why time and again New Zealand recycled the ball much quicker than Ireland were able to which meant Ireland's defense was caught out. That to me was ultimately the key difference between the sides. I am gutted but the harsh truth is the better team won.
Ireland only deserve to be half a point behind the AB’s not whole point and a half.
Stopped reading the inserts.
Shout out to Peter O’Mahoney and his world class sledging last year in NZ to Sam Cane which inspired Sam to perform today at a very Richie McCaw champion level.
Cheers, Peter.
Lovely to see O feckin Mahoney silenced tonite wat an arrogant Cork prick good riddance
I thought of the exact same thing. Being a sore loser is one thing, but doing what O’Mahoney did when winning is beyond contempt. Zero sympathy for him. Well earned dose of karma for the douche.
Jesus, you would think Ireland lost 40-0 based on these ratings. Bit harsh. So, I am guessing you will be giving the NZ team similar ratings, given that the game was so close. And literally could have gone either way in kast 10 mins.
They lost ! Does their ranking s matter. AB won their ratings are all 8.9
Does it matter …maybe Irish should start rating their mental capacity to know world ratings in knock out games are worth more
Lesson from AB
Mental superiority wins knock out rugby. Not arrogance
I thought both teams played really well and these marks don’t represent the match that I watched. Both teams would have comfortably beaten both teams in the first quater final.
this is the number 1 team in the world who hadnt lost a game since mid 2022 going up against an all blacks team that has consistently dissapointed, and then losing to them despite the all blacks getting 2 yellow cards. These low ratings are absolutely fair because thats the standard for the number 1 team in the world.
ABs getting two yellows should count against them! However, 20 min playing with 14… One would had thought Ireland would have landed the death blows, but their scrum folded and their attack was a bit un-Irish with the amount of kicking they did in the first 20 min of the 2nd half. ABs due to that point should indeed have better ratings. Ireland go home, but they go home after playing the best game of the tournament and rightly have th number one tag by their name.
Your headline for this article should have read “Ireland crash out of world Cup thriller, the team will watch the final on tv. New World Order haha
Ireland players deserve better ratings than these but were up against an AB side that would not quit - plus they took their chances and made them count. It was close enough that it could have gone to Ireland at the death but the ABs courage and discipline in defense won the day. Great game. Would have been played at semi-final level if the seeding had been done properly. As John Kirwan says, the monkey (being put out in the Quarters) has now become a gorilla.
They were talking as if they are in RWC finals, let alone semis haha the new world order will perhaps need to wait to first make a semi final before dreaming for another 100 years to reign
Hard for the Irish not to blame themselves after such a poor 19’ WC.
They did have a man advantage for 20 mins, a quarter of the game. So I suppose that should have some weight in their ratings?
I wanted the ABs to win, as I was getting a bit tired of the general Irish arrogance (by that I mean rather the pundits and fans, not so much the players themselves, at least not most of them), but I feel kinda bad for them.
They will never have a team like this again. This was their chance, and I think had they won the QFs, they’d have won the whole thing, because breaking the QF curse would have given them wings.
A handful of players had their last chance at World Cup glory. Sure, I’m not going to shed any tears for the arrogant ones (Sexton, POM), but I feel bad for the likeable ones, especially Henshaw, Aki, and Earls.
On the flip side, I hope Sam Cane had some kind words for POM. To show him how largesse in winning looks like. Because O’Mahoney wouldn’t know.
Crazy harsh.
Where is the AB ratings 11,5 lol
I’m no fan of Ireland and heavily preferred for New Zealand to win, but I can’t take those ratings seriously.
Key Irish players are insanely undervalued here. It was an incredible game of rugby and the Irish had a realistic chance to win it until the last second, showing their class with a steadily progressing 30+ phase grind with machine precision. Those are some incredibly good rugby players, and they played very well for most of the game. Every single one of them was where they were supposed to be during the Irish attack, run their lines with a split second precision.
I simply can’t wrap my head around a 3 for James Lowe, and a 4 for JG-P. I feel like I’ve watched a completely different game.
Good post Thomas. I agree with your assessment. Indeed a superb game of rugby.
Going into the game the Irish Players were highly spoken about, forgetting the All Blacks has a number of superstars, Josh van der Flier got a 6 but James Lowe who was way better on defense got a 3.Remember Mounga beat van der Flier on his inside to setup a try for Will Jordan and both New Zealand born players scored Irelands tries but the got ratings of 3
…..those ratings are the opinion of the writer, nothing more, nothing less however, in saying that when you play any All Black side you have to be accurate for 80 minutes in ALL areas of your game, especially in your set pieces. Tonight Ireland were not and that was especially telling in the first 20 mins.
Going into this match that “average” All Black team (as described by most of the world rugby media) was accurate and dominated in those set pieces. In doing so the All Blacks literally took the game away from them and that’s why Ireland looked dis-jointed and ineffective for long periods, especially in the first 20 mins. The All Blacks dominance in set play and in the ruck area pressured Ireland into mistakes and turnovers. They had no answer and were playing “catch up” footy the entire game. I don’t care what world ranking you hold. If you want to beat any All Black team you have to first and foremost execute in your set pieces. Ireland didn’t.
In my opinion those ratings are accurate and reflect exactly my viewpoint.
Yeah nonsense ratings, these men played their hearts out. I think collectively they got put off their game and the occasion got to them… but as individuals I think such low scores are completely unwarranted. One of the best defensive performances I've ever seen but sadly I think Ireland really lacked the composure and patience they've shown over the last 2 years.