![\"Image\"](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/EHPZKKBWoAI6cQ2?format=jpg&name=4096x4096\")
<\/p>\nIreland played three-time and reigning champions New Zealand in a mouth-watering quarter-final battle in Tokyo.<\/p>\n
New Zealand came into this game confident but wary of Ireland\u2019s quality, having been beaten twice by them in the last three years.<\/p>\n
Ireland looked to upset the odds and progress to the semi-finals for the first time in their history with a win against the All Blacks.<\/p>\n
The game started with some Irish possession, but New Zealand were quick to turnover.<\/p>\n
Stockdale came close to tearing the game open early on but couldn\u2019t keep control of his interception.<\/p>\n
Ringrose was taken off as a blood sub, replaced by Larmour temporarily.<\/p>\n
Richie Mo\u2019unga converted the penalty from Stockdale\u2019s knock-on to open the scoring.<\/p>\n
A handling error by Earls lost a lot of ground, and Codie Taylor chased down Murray\u2019s attempted box kick.<\/p>\n
New Zealand forced another early handling error for Ireland, leading to a third scrum in the first 10 minutes.<\/p>\n
Some scintillating play from New Zealand was stopped by Kearney, but the onslaught continued.<\/p>\n
More fluid play led to scrum-half Aaron Smith getting over the line, the man who orchestrated the attack.<\/p>\n
Mo\u2019unga couldn\u2019t miss from the angle he was given.<\/p>\n
Ireland began to maintain some possession and forced a penalty from New Zealand, but a woeful kick gave it back to the All Blacks.<\/p>\n
More handling errors, something common for Ireland this season, led to Aaron Smith getting over the line once again.<\/p>\n
Mo\u2019unga kicked a beauty to make it 17-0 after 20 minutes. Ireland already hoist by their own petard.<\/p>\n
A penalty brought the All Blacks into the Ireland 22, but O\u2019Mahony stole the lineout.<\/p>\n
A period of midfield play occurred, culminating in yet another Irish handling error that Beauden Barrett capitalised on and scored, confirmed by a lengthy TMO check.<\/p>\n
Mo\u2019unga missed from a very tight angle, keeping the lead at 22.<\/p>\n
After more handling errors, Ireland found some consistency in their handling and won a lineout.<\/p>\n
Sexton found touch in New Zealand\u2019s 22 and won a penalty from their pressure.<\/p>\n
The penalty was overturned after a TMO check found O\u2019Mahony had went off his feet.<\/p>\n
New Zealand maintained their 22-0 lead for half-time.<\/p>\n
If anyone is shocked, read my previous articles on the Ireland games.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m pretty sure I mention handling errors at least once in all of them.<\/p>\n
Truly shocking by one of the best teams in the world to not be able to fix that in a month.<\/p>\n
Basic mistakes that has no room at the highest level of the sport.<\/p>\n
An exhibition-esque start from New Zealand led to a Codie Taylor try, courtesy of an excellent Kieran Read offload. Mo\u2019unga made no mistake from under the posts.<\/p>\n
Dominance continued for the All Blacks, and Ireland barely weathered it, looking like a shell of the Ireland from last November.<\/p>\n
The All Blacks punished Ireland once more.<\/p>\n
A beautiful Mo\u2019unga pass to Reece paved the way for Matt Todd to barge over the line.<\/p>\n
Mo\u2019unga couldn\u2019t put it between the sticks from a similar angle as his earlier miss.<\/p>\n
![\"Image\"](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/EHPXM0DWkAAwWie?format=jpg&name=4096x4096\")
Rory Best was taken off to a standing ovation to signify the respect and gratitude Ireland have for him as he stepped off the pitch in green for the final time.<\/p>\n
Ireland\u2019s first chance couldn\u2019t be converted as Henshaw couldn\u2019t gather the ball to ground it.<\/p>\n
Henshaw didn\u2019t make a mistake the second time around and got Ireland\u2019s its long-awaited first try, a consolation for the men in green.<\/p>\n
Carbery converted.<\/p>\n
Bridge got New Zealand\u2019s sixth after turning over Ireland\u2019s attempted escape from their own half.<\/p>\n
Mo\u2019unga added the extra two.<\/p>\n
Larmour pushed New Zealand into their own 22, capitalising on a dropped ball.<\/p>\n
A penalty try was awarded after Matt Todd blocked the New Zealand post.<\/p>\n
Todd was binned for the offence.<\/p>\n
Ireland held up a possible New Zealand try.<\/p>\n
A Barrett brothers combination added the seventh moments later.<\/p>\n
Mo\u2019unga finished the game off with another miss.<\/p>\n
New Zealand plays England, which looks like it\u2019ll be a very close game after today\u2019s performances.<\/p>\n
Ireland go home, having ultimately disappointed in the Schmidt era.<\/p>\n
The golden age of Irish Rugby couldn\u2019t do what no one else could, having peaked a year earlier, a trend for past Irish teams.<\/p>\n
A terrible end to what was a brilliant number of years under Joe Schmidt. Thank you, Joe.<\/p>\n
![\"Image\"](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/EHPZtRAW4AM82_g?format=jpg&name=900x900\")