Ireland have beaten the mighty All Blacks for the first ever time on home soil

Patrick Madden

17:53 Good evening. Welcome to our coverage of Ireland’s clash with New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off 7.0pm). The Dart is rammed, the windows steamed. There’s a crisp chill in the air. Lansdowne Road is already moving at snail’s pace, the faithful beamed towards the giant spaceship waiting for them at the end. Queues outside each turnstile. We’ll get in early tonight. The smell of burgers. Get your match programme here. Any spare tickets? Not a prayer. The world champions are in town. The All Blacks. That great sporting institution. Those famous rugby wizards, filling all with fear and awe. And on the streets there’s a buzz. Trepidation, anticipation. But above all, an unshakable sense that maybe, just maybe, tonight the All Blacks will meet their match. This is a Test match which needs no introduction. Everywhere you look, there’s a narrative. It’s the best team in the world against the second best. The back-to-back world champions against the team gunning for their crown. The heroes of Chicago against those who delivered brutal retribution in Dublin. Joe Schmidt. Steve Hansen. Bundee Aki. Brodie Retallick. Johnny Sexton. Beauden Barrett. Kieran Read. Peter O’Mahony. Ireland versus the All Blacks. We’ll be bringing you all of the action live from the Aviva. Strap yourselves in. History beckons. Come on!!!

17:57 THE TEAMS Ireland: Rob Kearney; Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Johnny Sexton, Kieran Marmion; Cian Healy, Rory Best (capt), Tadhg Furlong; James Ryan, Devin Toner; Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, CJ Stander. Replacements: Seán Cronin, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter, Iain Henderson, Jordi Murphy , Luke McGrath, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour. New Zealand: Damian McKenzie; Ben Smith, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, Rieko Ioane; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Karl Tu’inukuafe, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks; Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick; Liam Squire, Ardie Savea,Kieran Read (capt). Replacements: Dane Coles, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett, Matt Todd, TJ Perenara, Richie Mo’unga, Anton Lienert-Brown.

18:01 One hour until kick-off!

18:03 An hour to go, here's Gerry Thornley's match preview to get you in the mood - HERE. And you can read Matt Williams' thoughts on tonight's Test for the ages HERE.

18:03 Rory Best wins the toss. pic.twitter.com/NaRUEQs4Vb — Gavin Cummiskey (@Cumoski) November 17, 2018

18:05 Where are you watching the match tonight? Get in touch via the 'contact us' button bove and let us know!

18:23 Ireland head into tonight's game without the world's best scrumhalf, Conor Murray, as well as Robbie Henshaw, Seanie O'Brien and Dan Leavy. It is a testament to the side's strength in depth that a player of the calibre of Josh van der Flier is able to slot in at number seven. However, without the ball carrying ballast of O'Brien and Leavy, Ireland do look slightly less intimidating. Joe Schmidt has also recalled Devin Toner for tonight's game, in a bid to shore up the set-piece which creaked slightly against Argentina last weekend. You can get to know tonight's Ireland XV more intimately HERE.

18:27 Meanwhile, just a solitary change for the All Blacks. Sonny Bill Williams was forced off injured in the narrow win over England at Twickenham. His replacement that day, Ryan Crotty, starts tonight. Not a bad alternative. Again, get to know the All Blacks XV that bit better HERE.

18:30 30 mins until kick-off!

18:30

18:31 A bit of kicking practice for Beauden Barrett (it just crept inside the upright).

18:36 A brutal frontrow battle awaits tonight. The All Blacks loosehead, Karl Tu'inukuafe, weighs in at a trim 135kg (21st 4lbs). A former bouncer, he didn't even have a Super Rugby contract at the start of the year, but has capitalised on injuries to take ownership of the number one jersey. Tonight he comes up against the best number three in the business - Tadhg Furlong. Cian Healy up against Owen Franks should be fairly tasty, too. . .

18:40 You can also follow tonight's game through our match gallery - which is available HERE

18:40 Stark contrast: Hansen ignores ABs to watch Schmidt in the thick of it. pic.twitter.com/0t39hxCweX — Gavin Cummiskey (@Cumoski) November 17, 2018

18:41 Warm-ups over. Both teams head back inside to get togged.

18:44 Tonight's referee is England's Wayne Barnes. He's taken charge of 15 Ireland Tests - Ireland have only won five. But fear not, the All Blacks aren't too keen on him either after their 2007 Rugby World Cup semi-final defeat to France.

18:46 Enjoy, Alan in Ontario. The teams are in the tunnel.

18:47 Well, the All Blacks are in the tunnel. Ireland are making them wait.

18:49 To the thudding of drums and the crackling of fireworks, the teams are onto the pitch. How are the nerves?

18:50 Michael D is out to meet the players. It's electric.

18:53 The last pints have been supped. The Aviva is packed to the rafters, buzzing like it does on the biggest of nights.

18:56 The anthems. Deafening.

18:57 Pleasantries out of the way. Time for the Haka.

19:00 Ireland stand firm on the 10-metre. Here we go.

19:01 The All Blacks to kick off. Beauden Barrett has the ball in hand. BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!

19:03 1 min: Toner leaps into the night sky to secure the kick off. Ireland run a phase before Marmion box kicks down the right. Good chase from Earls but the All Blacks secure it. A series of thunderous phases follow before Barrett kicks - the ball is palmed back for Kearney.

19:05 2 min: A truly breathless start - every collision reverberates. Both sides are slightly loose with their kicking - Earls scampering after a Barrett touch finder and keeping it in play. Second time right Barrett gets it right - Kearney has to cover and slides into touch deep inside the Irish 22.

19:07 4 min: The All Blacks win the lineout and set the maul - good counter drive from Ireland. The hosts are defending ferociously on the five-metre, the All Blacks up to 10 phases. Stunning defence from Ireland. They hit hard and hit often - Stander and Van Der Flier latching onto Read and winning a penalty. A huge roar. Sexton finds touch on the 10.

19:09 6 min: Clean ball off the top for Ireland. They attack on the 10 - neat step from Ringrose on the right. They bring it back left, Aki finding O'Mahony for a big carry before Ryan carries three black shirts with him up to the visitor's 10.

19:09 7 min: Ireland penalty on halfway after Retallick stops Marmion from passing. Sexton finds touch on the 22.

19:10 8 min: Best hits O'Mahony at the back. Ireland attacking on the 22.

19:12 9 min: Space on the right, Van Der Flier finds Earls who dances up to the five. Ireland move it left, Aki bringing Kearney back inside on the angle. Ireland have a penalty coming for offside. Huge passage of play for the hosts. The penalty is right under the posts. Sexton knocks it over. First blood. What a start. 10 MIN: IRELAND 3 NEW ZEALAND 0

19:12 Rory Best to Wayne Barnes: "First time we get down here they'd rather give us 3 than 5." — Gavin Cummiskey (@Cumoski) November 17, 2018

19:13 11 min: It's pivotal for Ireland Barnes is hot on the All Blacks offsides. Earls fields the restart, Marmion boxkicks but gets too much on it and Barrett can gather comfortably on the 10.

19:15 12 min: The All Blacks attacking on the Irish 10m, Crotty gets away with a forward pass. McKenzie brings Barrett into the line with an inside ball, the Kiwis are up to the Irish 22. Danger as it's dropped deep for Barrett and he finds hooker Taylor - great tackle from Healy.

19:17 14 min: Another huge defensive passage from Ireland - first they turn the All Blacks over - Toner and Ryan working in tandem to monster Retallick and force the ball to go loose. Good ball retention from Ireland and they are awarded another penalty - Sexton finds touch inside the All Blacks 10.

19:20 15 min: Another good Irish lineout - they run seven good phases until Best loses it on contact on the 22. Ben Smith clears down the right - Stockdale does well to cover but is scragged, the visitors winning a penalty on the Irish 22.

Safety first for the All Blacks - Barrett will go for goal from the same narrow angle he was practising earlier. Like he did in the warm-up - he nails it. 16 MIN: IRELAND 3 NEW ZEALAND 3

19:21 18 min: Short restart from Sexton - Retallick up to claim ahead of Kearney. Loose All Blacks kick finds Earls in broken field. He kicks over the line and it's well read by McKenzie - he ships it to Barrett who pins Ireland back inside their 22 with a good grubber.

19:22 19 min: Toner wins the lineout, the Irish pack grunt before Marmion boxkicks. Not the best, and Stockdale knocks forward into touch. Read opts for the game's first scrum, just shy of the Irish 22, on the five.

19:22 20 MIN: IRELAND 3 NEW ZEALAND 3

19:25 21 min: The scrum is reset after the first attempt, second time round the All Blacks get it in and out quickly. Loose pass from Barrett to Crotty, who gets smashed by Aki. The All Blacks spill the ball but it's judged to have gone forward off a green hand. The visitors keep the ball alive until another Barrett pass goes loose. The ball is shipped to Toner in midfield who finds Stander on a great line. He thunders up the middle and is caught high by Squire. Barnes gives a penalty - Sexton finds the 22.

19:26 23 min: Another solid Irish lineout. Whitelock is caught offside at the back of the Irish maul. Sexton goes into the corner!

19:27 24 min: Best hits Toner on the five. Ireland set the maul.

19:28 25 min: Ireland are asked to use it. Aki with a big carry before another from Stander. He's carried over the line by the Irish pack - the Aviva goes up - but Barnes says it's held up. Irish five-metre scrum, under the sticks. IRELAND 3 NEW ZEALAND 3

19:31 26 min: The mightiest of heaves from the Irish pack. Stander secures the ball with a penalty coming. Sexton chips over the top for Kearney, cKenzie can't secure it. It hits the deck, Kearney picks it up and touches it down. The onfield decision is try, Barnes checks with the TMO. . .

19:31 DISALLOWED TRY IRELAND!

19:32 Kearney is judged to have knocked it on. This time, Ireland go for a penaly, which Sexton drills over. The All Blacks lucky to emerge from that passage just three points worse off. 27 MIN: IRELAND 6 NEW ZEALAND 3

19:34 28 min: Earls collects the restart again and dances back at the All Blacks. Loose Marmion bockick allows McKenzie to collect and run it back. Ireland think they've got a scrum for a knock on - Barnes says it went loose off a green hand - and Whitelock trundles through the middle.

19:34 DROP GOAL NEW ZEALAND

19:35 Ireland pinged on the floor and New Zealand have a penalty - Barrett tries his luck with a drop goal in front of the posts and knocks it over. 30 MIN: IRELAND 6 NEW ZEALAND 6

19:37 31 min: The All Blacks spill the restart and Best dives on the loose ball. Ireland deep inside the visitor's 22 - monster carry from Healy after good yards from Kearney down the left. A loose pass but Aki secures it. O'Mahony booms down the left before Stander carries hard again - this time he gets done for holding on after Crotty locks on. Substitute for the All Blacks - Scott Barrett replacing the injured Squire.

19:39 32 min: Barrett kicks the penalty to the NZ 10. They set the maul before Smith box kicks - great take and Stockdale is released through the middle. Ireland back on the front foot - Furlong carries three All Blacks up to the 22. They move it left, Stockdale carries well again.

19:41 34 min: 15 phases for Ireland. Kearney arcs a run to the right - his pass to van der Flier is picked off by Ioane, but he knocks it forward. Irish scrum deep inside the NZ 22. A much needed breather for everyone. 35 MIN: IRELAND 6 NEW ZEALAND 6

19:42 Squire gone, Kieran Read in trouble. — Gavin Cummiskey (@Cumoski) November 17, 2018

19:43 35 min: Read will be fine to continue. This is s huge scrum - Ireland's dominance requires a score.

19:44 36 min: Ireland absoltely monster the All Blacks scrum again. Stander nurses the ball at the back and when NZ crumble he picks and carries. Scrum penalty Ireland - Sexton tries a crossfield to Stockdale. Sexton stitches the penalty into the corner.

19:47 37 min: Great take from Ryan, but as he comes back down the ball goes loose. Backwards. Ireland move it left. Another penalty advantage for offside. And then the All Blacks are caught offside AGAIN. Surely a yellow? Just a talking to. This time the penalty is right under the posts. An easy three for Sexton. Back in front. 38 MIN: IRELAND 9 NEW ZEALAND 6

19:48 39 min: The All Blacks restart picks out Earls again. Short boxkick from Marmion - McKenzie knocks it forward into touch as Kearney challenges. Best opts for a scrum, on the five-metre on the right, in between the Ireland 10 and 22.

19:49 40 min: The Irish scrum comes under a bit of pressure, which Stander relieves. The ball is hoofed into touch.

19:49 HT: IRELAND 9 NEW ZEALAND 6

19:50 What a stunning half of rugby. Everything is working smoothly for Ireland at the moment - particularly the lineout - while they've dominated in the contact. They may yet rue only having three penalties to show for that first half performance, however.

19:57 2013 - Ireland have not lost at home having led at half-time since 2013 when they led the @AllBlacks 22-7 at the break but lost 22-24. Memories. pic.twitter.com/mzrUfEeRJf — OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) November 17, 2018

20:02 The All Blacks conceded nine penalties in the first half, against Ireland's two. If it's 18-4 after 80 minutes then Ireland win this Test match.

20:02 The All Blacks come back out.

20:04 And here come Ireland. 40 minutes, boys.

20:04 Sexton gets us back underway!

20:06 41 min: Stockdale wins the restart ahead of Retallick and scoops it back - the All Blacks counter to take the loose ball. Boxkick from Aaron Smith - Whitelock knocks it forward ahead of Kearney. Ireland scrum on halfway.

20:07 42 min: Solid Irish scrum. Stander to Marmion to Sexton, he brings Aki into play and he nearly steps McKenzie. Loose Irish pass and O'Mahony can't gather it. All Blacks scrum on the Irish 10-metre.

20:07 IRELAND 9 NEW ZEALAND 6

20:09 43 min: Loose pass from Smith off the All Blacks scrum and then Beauden Barrett kicks straight down the throat of Kearney and he returns with aplomb. Slioppy passage from the visitors. Hanging kick from Sexton and the All Blacks secure it. It's kicked to Stockdale in the backfield - and he gets away with one. He tries to chip over the onrushing Read who charges the kick down but then knocks the loose ball forward. Serious let off - that was a try.

20:12 45 min: Another brutal scrum. Stander seems to have secured it but Savea emerges with the ball. Good attacking platform for the All Blacks, Goodhue gets smashed in midfield. They move it back right - huge play from O'Mahony, he latches on and earns Ireland a penalty!

20:12 47 min: The All Blacks change their frontrow - Tuungafasi, Laulala and Coles all trundle on.

20:13 TRY IRELAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

20:15 What a move from Ireland. They get clean lineout ball and it's shifted to Sexton. He reverses the play with a ball to Aki who bursts down the shortside and finds Stockdale. Stockdale kicks ahead, burns Aaron Smith and collects the bouncing ball before reaching and touching down. What a score. Difficult conversion for Sexton - it creeps inside the righthand post! 50 MIN: IRELAND 16 NEW ZEALAND 6

20:17 51 min: Irelad set and Marmion kicks. It's comfortable for McKenzie but he's tripped over by his own man. The All Blacks knock on in midfield, Best smashing Retallick. Furlong carries and then Ireland move it right and Ringrose finds a fantastic kick into the right corner. Excellent chase from Earls and Beauden Barrett is hauled into touch on the five-metre. Healy is replaced by Jack McGrath. Huge, huge chance for Ireland.

20:18 52 min: This time, the lineout doesn't work and the All Blacks pinch the loose ball at the back. The All Blacks shift it quickly and McKenzie kicks ahead - brilliant cover from Marmion on the right.

20:19 53 min: Kearney takes a hanging Smith boxkick on halfway. Ireland on the ball in centrefield - van der Flier hauls Ireland up to the All Blacks 10.

20:21 54 min: Ireland sticking it up the jumper until Marmion boxkicks. McKenzie spills on the 22 and Kearney is there to gather. Ireland move it left, Sexton sees a gap and cuts through it, held up just short. Loose pass from Ringrose, van der Flier recovers. Ireland still on the ball.

20:21 55 MIN: IRELAND 16 NEW ZEALAND 6

20:23 56 min: Ireland hammer away, it's ferocious. The All Blacks drive them back to the 10 and eventually, Sexton looks to the skies again. Ioane takes it well and gets clattered by Kearney. He could be in trouble. . . Kearney escapes with just a penalty conceded.

20:24 56 min: McKenzie, who's been hammered in the air, is replaced by Richie Mo'unga. Barrett will move to 15. Mo'unga's first act is to find touch on halfway.

20:25 57 min: Ireland caught napping as Coles throws over the back of the lineout to Ioane. Electric run but brilliant tackle from Earls. Loose ball, All Blacks knock on. Phew. IRELAND 16 NEW ZEALAND 6

20:26 57 min: Irish scrum in between their 22 and 10. Solid Irish set piece and they swing it left, Stockdale gets the ball on the outside and is tackled on the 10. Barnes brings play back for a forward pass - harsh call on Rigrose.

20:28 58 min: TJ Perenara on for Smith. Scrum just outside the Irish 22. The All Blacks work the shortside, Perenars stabs a kick in behind which Stockdale gathers. New Zealand pour it on, but Ireland secure it before Marmion box kicks just beyond the 22. Territory for the Kiwis. Marmion is replaced by Luke McGrath. Huge shift.

20:29 59 min: Ireland pinch the All Blacks lineout! They shift it right, big carry from Aki up to the 10-metre. Savea pilfers and turns Ireland over - he kicks ahead but Kearney is there to cover and touch down for a 22.

20:30 60 MIN: IRELAND 16 NEW ZEALAND 6

20:31 61 min: Toner wins the 22 restart but Sexton kicks possession back to the All Blacks. New Zealand are playing their way back into this. Stunning step from Goodhue on the left and the All Blacks work it right. Barrett sees the space and kick in behind - somehow, O'Mahony is there to cover with black shirts lining up to score. This is breathless.

20:32 62 min: Luke McGrath relieves the pressure with a touch finder. Toner, who's been immense, is replaced by Iain Henderson. The All Blacks win their lineout ball and they're probing inside the Irish half.

20:35 63 min: This is most sustained period of All Blacks pressure in the match. Ioane is nearly in down the left. They move it right - well beyond 10 phases - and Ireland are scrambling. It's worked right, the All Blacks have men over. Peter O'Mahony!!!!! Another huge turnover, latching on and winning a penalty. That's his last act, with Jordi Murphy coming on. O'Mahony gets a heroes reception as he leaves the field. He has been immense.

20:35 IRELAND 16 NEW ZEALAND 6

20:37 64 min: Ireland's penalty is nudged up to the halfway. Good ball but it's kicked high and Ben Smith claims it before carving through the Irish line. Late tackle on Perenara - Barrett finds touch on the Irish 10. Porter and Cronin on for Furlong and Best.

20:38 65 min: The All Blacks are really turning the screw. Barrett steps inside Earls beautifully on the 22 and he thinks he's in - he's tackled and Kearney takes the offload. Luke McGrath finds touch.

20:39 66 min: Lineout steal from Henderson!!! He bursts through the middle and Ireland run it - but then Aki knocks forward in contact on the Irish 10. The hosts are penned in. Larmour replaces the brilliant Kearney.

20:42 67 min: The All Blacks move it from the scrum, Sexton smashes Mo'unga. New Zealand have a penalty coming for a high tackle. Good tackle from Stockdale - the All Blacks had men over - and the ball goes loose. Back for the penalty. Barrett will go for goal from the 10-metre, just to the right of the posts. We're back to a one score game. 69 MIN: IRELAND 16 NEW ZEALAND 9

20:42 70 MIN: IRELAND 16 NEW ZEALAND 9

20:44 70 min: Deep restart from Sexton. Ireland need some possession and territory. Mo'unga's clearance doesn't reach the All Blacks 10-metre. But then Whitelock steals the lineout. New Zealand move it quickly - Goodhue finding Ioane on the left. Great work from Stander and Luke McGrath, holding the ball up and earning a scrum on the Irish 10.

20:45 72 min: Big Irish scrum and they spin it wide. Ringrose sweeps a big pass to Stockdale, he stands up Smith and burns down the outside. He kicks ahead - Mo'unga carries it dead and touches down, but the All Blacks escape with a 22 drop out.

20:46 IRELAND 16 NEW ZEALAND 9

20:47 73 min: The All Blacks in possession on their own 22. Huge tackle from Murphy, and then Henderson nearly forces a turnover. The All Blacks trying to play their way out of trouble.

20:48 74 min: Stunning Ireland defence. Barrett's pass to Read goes loose inside the 22. Ben Smith gathers but he gets scragged by Stockdale - Sexton then steams in to help haul the All Blacks 14 into touch. Irish lineout just shy of the All Blacks five.

20:48 75 MIN: IRELAND 16 NEW ZEALAND 9

20:49 75 min: Whitelock steals the lineout again. Mo'unga's clearance flicks off Luke McGrath. All Blacks lineout inside their 22. They try to play their way out before Mo'unga kicks to the 10. Ireland have to win this lineout.

20:50 76 min: Henderson wins the lineout!! Ireland put the squeeze on before Luke McGrath kicks high. Stockdale knocks on, All Blacks in possession.

20:50 76 MIN: IRELAND 16 NEW ZEALAND 9

20:52 77 min: All Blacks scrum on the five-metre on the left, in between the All Blacks 10 and 22. Carbery on for Sexton. Solid All Blacks scrum. Perenara picks and goes left. Earls smashes Goodhue, he offloads to Ioane. All Blacks retain it on their 22.

20:54 78 min: All Blacks retaining possession inside their own half. Goodhue chips ahead, Larmour covers and secures a tricky bouncing ball. Ireland have the ball on halfway.

20:54 79 min: Ireland have possession just inside their own half. McGrath box kicks, Ben Smith. Mo'unga dances back into trouble and Ryan.

20:55 80 min: The All Blacks are up to halfway. Ringrose chops Ioane. They've got men over on the right. Carbery brings down Barrett.

20:56 81 min: The All Blacks are up to the Irish 22. This is relentless, Ireland scrambling with every last sinew. 15 phases for the All Blacks. Surely not.

20:56 82 min: Retallick knocks on. . .

20:57 FT: IRELAND 16 NEW ZEALAND 9 IRELAND HAVE BEATEN THE ALL BLACKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

20:58 Green and black shirts drop to the turf. There's a roar around the Aviva which can't have been heard often. The fields rings round Lansdowne Road.

20:58 2-2 since 2013.



It's a real rivalry now. — Gavin Cummiskey (@Cumoski) November 17, 2018

20:59 Peter O'Mahony is named man of the match. 23 heroes.

21:01 The way Ireland scrambled and fought and dug in as the All Blacks turned the screw in the final quarter. There was going to be no repeat of 2013. It wouldn't be allowed. Not tonight.

21:02 Ireland have just kept the All Blacks scoreless. That is pretty staggering.

21:03 The Aviva is still full. Nobody's going home early. Ireland make their way around the pitch. Never has a lap of honour been as deserved.

21:07 Stay with us and we'll bring you live updates from Steve Hansen and Joe Schmidt's press conferences. Before that, there's plenty of time to raise a glass. . .

21:34 Notes on a Victory:

James Ryan 19 tackles

CJ Stander 23 insane carries (15 in first half).

Jacob Stockdale 74 metres run — Gavin Cummiskey (@Cumoski) November 17, 2018

21:34 Steve Hansen: "Firstly I’d like to congratulate Ireland who I thought played exceptionally well. They took the opportunities needed to win the game. I thought our discipline let us down in the second half. Having said that I’m proud of our boys too. . . their effort was second to none."

21:37 Are Ireland now favourites for the World Cup?: "Well you’ll make them favourites. What it does do, you’ve got the world’s two best teams playing each other. So now they’re the best team in the world, which makes them favourites for the World Cup."

21:38 Tonight's Test was "very physical," says Kieran Read. Just a bit.

21:42 What was the note Steve Hansen passed to Joe Schmidt before the match?: "€760. . .for tickets. He was the only bloke I could get them off."

21:43 Could Ireland have done Anything better for try? Kieran Read: "I got put on my arse in the lineout so I obviously can’t remember too much of it. Just a great play from Ireland I guess, he showed his pace and got there."

21:46 Steve Hansen: “I’m not going to moan about the referee. The time to moan about the ref is when you win. I thought Barnsey did a pretty good job tonight.”

21:48 And in comes Joe Schmidt. . .

21:50 Skipper Rory Best is alongside Schmidt. Does tonight eclipse Chicago?: "I don’t think one thing’s better than the other. It took a mighty effort to win tonight. Nine years they’ve been number one. I wouldn’t say it feels any better – but it definitely doesn’t feel any worse. It’s another bit of history made by this squad."

21:53 Joe Schmidt:"It was an incredibly, collective, hard-earned win. I’m really proud of the way we stuck to the task." "It was an incredibly, collective, hard-earned win. I’m really proud of the way we stuck to the task." And are Ireland favourites for the RWC?: "The World Cup in 12 months time? We’ve got to work hard this week to make sure we’re ready for the USA."

21:55 Is Hansen touting Ireland as RWC favourites a bit of kidology? Schmidt: "I’ve got huge respect for Steve. For us to be favourites when they’ve been world number one team, and continue to be world number one. . . We’ve been at home, they’re had a long season with a lot of travel. I thought the crowd were phenomenal. We had a lot of things stacked in our favour."

21:56 Were there echoes of 2013? "Well we were seven points clear, so we couldn't lose this one," says Schmidt.

21:57 "The way it was built up as one versus two - it was a heavyweight clash." And what about preventing the All Blacks from scoring a try? "Andy Farrell will be delighted," says Schmidt.

21:59 Best on Stockdale's try, shortly after he saw a chip charged down by Read: "There’s no doubt we have a lot of quality players. We prepare well and we know we can execute things. When they don’t work out first time, it takes a lot of confidence to try them again. Jacob is an excellent player."

22:01 Why do the All Blacks seem to struggle with Andy Farrell’s defensive system? Schmidt: "Everybody knows their role. There were a few times we did get severed. The good thing about Faz is he’ll look at those and pat players on the back but then ask what do you think of that, how can we improve it? Also Simon Easterby with the lineout. . .it was a fantasic platform for us to springboard into the game, as was the scrum.”

22:04 Any mixed emotions for Kiwi Schmidt?: "I'm 100 per cent an All Blacks supporter when they're playing anyone else. But I work with such a committed group of men. . . so there's no mixed emotions there. I'm incredibly proud of the Irish players who did that out there tonight."