Watch - All Blacks prop Angus Ta'avao sent off
New Zealand lost to Ireland in Dunedin after being reduced to 14-man after prop Angus Ta’avao was sent off for a head clash with Ireland centre Garry Ringrose.
Ireland led 10-0 at the midway point of the first half following an early try from prop Andrew Porter.
Porter powered over inside three minutes to round off a period of sustained Irish pressure, with Sexton adding the extras and later landing a long-range penalty.
The All Blacks were then temporarily reduced to 14 men after winger Leicester Fainga’anuku was sin-binned for a late challenge on Hansen.
New Zealand were temporarily reduced to 13 men after prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi was yellow carded for tackling Garry Ringrose off the ball.
Angus Ta’avao was brought on as cover for Tu’ungafasi and then promptly sent off following head-on-head contact with Ringrose.
Ta’avao was left bloodied by his challenge, while the stricken Ringrose also departed the field, with Bundee Aki replacing him.
The red card also lead to Ardie Savea being removed from the action at next scrum reset, a decision that came back to haunt them minutes later when the decision became permanent.
Australian journalist Christy Doran wrote: Nothing but red card. All Blacks replacement prop Angus Ta’avao has to be sent off. No drop, little mitigation. Red."
Irish Daily Mail reporter Rory Keane noted: "Angus Ta’avao becomes the sixth All Black to be sent off in Test history. The fourth in 50 years..."
Despite their numerical disadvantage, New Zealand only trailed 10-7 at the break.
Beauden Barrett dived over after the ball squirted out of a ruck to reduce the deficit following relentless All Blacks pressure just before the interval, with Jordie Barrett adding the conversion.
Ireland vice-captain James Ryan had moments earlier been shown a yellow card for cynically stopping an All Blacks quick-tap penalty.
Ireland would go on to claim a famous win, their first on New Zealand soil.
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I agree largely and I rate McKenzie as a wonderful utility at his best but now at twenty nine I wouldn't take him to the next world cup. I've never seen him as a a ten or a starter either at top tier test level. The bench needs a serious rethink with ideally a hybrid halfback/wing or a hybrid halfback/ten or a hybrid ten/centre to release that need for two relatively small guys on the bench.
Go to commentsStarting a go fund me for Bundee to Leinster 😜
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