New Zealand overcome Ireland in classic to set up semi-final date with Argentina
New Zealand saw off a late siege at Stade de France to triumph 28-24 after an epic contest as Ireland suffered an eighth Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat on Sunday.
Leicester Fainga’anuku’s try helped the All Blacks race into a 13-0 lead before centre Bundee Aki danced his way over for Ireland. Ardie Savea responded but Jamison Gibson-Park’s try, with Aaron Smith in the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on, saw their lead cut to 18-17 at half-time.
Will Jordan bagged his fifth try of the tournament but a penalty try, with hooker Codie Taylor also getting a yellow card, saw Ireland again get within one point.
Centre Jordie Barrett then kicked a penalty before New Zealand held on in the closing minutes despite 37 phases of Irish attacks to set up a semi-final with Argentina at Stade de France on Saturday, 21 October.