Razor relishes 'helluva' result

11/09/2024 12:40 AM

New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson was delighted to beat No 1-ranked Ireland in Dublin on Friday, praising the standout performance from flyhalf Damian McKenzie.

McKenzie kicked 18 points as the All Blacks upset Andy Farrell's men 23-13 on the night, and ended Ireland's 19-match winning streak at Lansdowne Road.

Man of the match, McKenzie split the uprights with six penalties while fullback Will Jordan dotted down midway through the final quarter to negate flanker Josh van der Flier's converted try for the hosts.

“I am really pleased, in fact stoked to get a result like that,” Robertson said post-match in the Irish capital, praising his players. “They showed courage and cared for each other out there.”

The exciting but inconsistent McKenzie was named Man of the Match. The playmaker only started because the more predictable and solid Beauden Barrett failed a HIA during the England game.

“D-Mac was as mercurial as normal,” said Robertson with a grin. “He trusted his instinct, it was a helluva night.”

MORE: 'No excuses' from Farrell after Dublin defeat

There was much made coming into the match of the bad blood between the two sides because of an exchange of words between Rieko Ioane and the now retired Irish captain Johnny Sexton at the end of the World Cup quarter-final.

Whether it was meant to put the Irish backs up, Ioane led the haka for the first time but when play started there was just one incident that threatened to get out of hand.

All Blacks captain Scott Barrett fronted up to Irish lock Joe McCarthy early in the first half. “I do not usually take exception but I saw something below the line for me and I guess I made a point,” said Barrett.

“I was getting up from a ruck and it looked like Joe was putting his shoulder into Damian's head, who was on the ground.

“They play hard and they are a great and physical team. It was just one moment.”

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Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images

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