Ireland player ratings vs New Zealand: Sexton's career ends in heartache

New Zealand saw off a late siege to triumph 28-24 as Ireland suffered an eighth Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat at Stade de France on Saturday.

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 Friday, 20 October.

Scroll down for Ireland player ratings vs New Zealand.

Metres: James Lowe - 77

Defenders beaten: Bundee Aki - 7

Tackles: Josh van der Flier - 17

Tackles missed: Josh van der Flier - 3

Turnovers won: Caelan Doris - 1

Clean breaks: Hugo Keenan - 2

1 Andrew Porter 5

Penalised in an early scrum, as his hips were too wide in the pack. A big hit on Will Jordan on the 20th phase, as Ireland defended strong. Couldn’t support Doris in time for his carry, as the number eight was isolated, and Porter couldn’t stop Savea’s turnover. Penalised twice more in the scrum for the same offence, in a performance he would want to forget in the pack. (Off – David Kilcoyne 75 minutes)

2 Dan Sheehan 6.5

A great effort to fight for a turnover at the breakdown in the 24^th minute, and forced two All Blacks off the ball. A big tackle on Will Jordan, which took the wind out of New Zealand’s sails. Unwanted poor start to the line-outs. Narrowly missed Hansen’s cross field kick for a try opportunity, and was caught out by Richie Mo’unga’s line break for Jordan’s try. Line-out improved in the second half, and threw the key dart for the penalty try. (Replaced by Ronan Kelleher – 64 minutes).

3 Tadhg Furlong 5

A performance that was not up to his best. The tighthead was a step away from the pace, and the relentless tempo of the match took it’s toll on the prop. His best performance came in the scrum, yet he was let down by his propping partner’s repeated offences. (Replaced 52 – Finlay Bealham).

4 Tadhg Beirne 6

Gave away a penalty from the off for not rolling away, and was frustrated by the lack of line-out success in the first half. Nice passing, as he looped the ball back round to the midfield options, with All Blacks sizing up shots on him. Drew space very well, and was better in the air in the second half. Physicality improved despite the tired legs in the latter stages.

5 Iain Henderson 6

Hard early hits on New Zealand’s props, Henderson put in shot after shot in the first half. Presented an option at the line-out, but the set-piece struggled under the All Blacks pressure. Exposed in a carry, with Savea over the top to turn the ball over. Like Beirne, the line-out improved in the second half. (Off: Joe McCarthy – 58 minutes).

6 Peter O’Mahony 7

Missed the first line-out as Sheehan and co failed to get a solid set-piece established. However, the Munster man took charge and shortened a 5-man line-out with greater success. Knocked on a high ball in a try scoring area, with Mo’unga claiming the ball. Muscled his way over the gain-line for the hard yards until the very end.

7 Josh van der Flier 6.5

The former World Rugby Player of the Year had a slower day at the office. He started his match by flying into carries, yet was caught on occasion for a Savea turnover, and spilling the ball in contact. Missed a tackle on Mo’unga for the Will Jordan try, but battled hard as he has for his entire Ireland career. (Off – Jack Conan 58 minutes)

8 Caelan Doris 6.5

After being an evergreen winner in the Ireland team, Doris was proven to be beatable after all. His opposite man got the better of him, as Ardie Savea had the game of his life. Doris was turned over at the breakdown at 12 minutes, and again just inches from the try-line at 16 minutes. A huge Doris turnover halted All Blacks attack at the half hour mark, and he returned kick-offs with a fiery first step into the collision. His late high ball knock on personified Ireland – the best in the world but slipped at the crucial match.

9 Jamison Gibson-Park 7

Supplied quick-ball to Ireland to keep the All Blacks back-peddling around the corner. However, some of his passes were spilled, could be nerves, or a greasy surface. Huge hit on Ardie Savea following a chip chase from Mo’unga. 38th minute try turned the tide ahead of half-time, sold the dummy well to score off the back of a line-out. New Zealand were so fast on the ball in defence, Gibson-Park needed to pick up the pace to stop further turnovers.

10 Johnny Sexton (c) 7

Very smart plays from the off, forced Ringrose out wide to expose the wider channels. Confident to make the call to kick for the corner, as Ireland trailed by 13 points. This got a lift out of the ‘sea of green’ in Paris, and helped Ireland’s momentum. Unhappy with Wayne Barnes, after Aki’s head collision was overlooked. Kicked well from the boot, but lost the foot race to the in-goal area, after his loose kick in midfield. Nailed the conversions and penalty attempts. A heart-breaking way to end his career, as he once again goes out in the quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup.

11 James Lowe 7

Great tackles early on set his defensive tempo, and kicks deep into the back-field were as good as ever. Won the early arial battle against Will Jordan, and was comfortable to call for marks. He smashed Beauden Barrett, but the gaps opened up for Fainga’anuku’s try. Could not stop Julian Savea’s dive into score. Kept a high tempo for the duration of the second half, despite his teammates fatiguing.

12 Bundee Aki 8.5

Heavy carries from the off, yet missed a tackle in the build-up to Fainga’anuku’s try. Hit backwards on the 23^rd minute, with calls for a review of head contact. Flew over the gain-line for a try at 26 minutes, could not be stopped by thee All Blacks defenders, with two steps and an additional fend. Levelled Keith Earl’s try-scoring record for five Ireland tries in one RWC. Great power, dummies and steps throughout the match and never stopped battling.

13 Garry Ringrose 6.5

Spilled an early high ball, but recovered well with confident ball carries at the All Blacks. Caught chasing the ball when the All Blacks exploded out wide for Fainga’anuka’s try. Key distributions with Aki and working the forwards into the back-line. Put pressure on the high ball catchers, with a big hit on Beauden Barrett.

14 Mack Hansen 5.5

A slower start from the Connacht man’s high standards, he was sold by Sam Cane’s dummy and left space in the Irish back-line. Nicely executed 50-22 kick, on the 43^rd minute, and took a quick throw that optimised the relentless pace of the game. Cross field kick to Sheehan almost led to a try, and picked up an ankle injury for an early exit. (Off – Jimmy O’Brien 55 minutes)

15 Hugo Keenan 7

Early contributions, tried to find James Lowe out wide for a try but the offload didn’t go to hands. Breaking through the gaps excited Ireland fans in Paris. Covered well in the back-field, with Hansen caught out of position on occasion. Outpaced by Will Jordan for the All Blacks’ try, and battled on despite being busted open. Still found the gaps with blood in his eyes, and tracked back well for Mo’unga’s back-field kicks.

16 Ronan Kelleher 6

Entered a tug of war over the ball with Aaron Smith for his first contribution. Thought that he had scored Ireland’s all-important try, but the rolling maul effort was held up by Jordie Barrett’s best efforts at 71 minutes.

17 Dave Kilcoyne 5

On for the final five minutes, with questions asked for why it took so late to introduce him. Andrew Porter had a slow game up front in the scrum, and Kilcoyne’s involvement could have been more in hindsight.

18 Finlay Bealham 6

Took over well for Tadhg Furlong, to try and re-gather some structure in a heavily penalised Irish front row. Set the foundations for the improved second half line-outs, and had a fire in his eyes in each and every carry.

19 Joe McCarthy 7

On for Iain Henderson as a breath of fresh air, the young gun had a strong impression and will have helped his future selections odds to no end. Taking carries from the off, Bealham took him by the scruff of the neck and drove for some hard yards in the second half. Didn’t look out of place, or needed to be ‘under a wing’ for the big stage.

20 Jack Conan 6

Tackled hard, but did not make the dominant tackles that he would have liked. On for van der Flier, and contributed key bricks to the Irish wall, that was eventually knocked down by the All Blacks.

21 Conor Murray 6

Introduced to calm the heads as Ireland looked on the verge of a first ever semi-final. However, this match turned out the be the last ride for Conor Murray alongside Johnny Sexton, with the tried and tested partnership fighting to the end against New Zealand.

22 Jack Crowley N/a - unused.

23 Jimmy O’Brien 6.5

Immediate carries after a 55^th minute introduction, and danced his way through the backs to make some key line breaks. Another player like Joe McCarthy who has made a good impression for the future, O’Brien stole the ball on the 74^th minute but was hit hard into touch. A great areal contribution, one of the best replacements for Ireland.

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