Ireland v New Zealand

In stark contrast to their 32-17 defeat in Hamilton two weeks ago, Ireland's second stingers frustrated Clayton McMillan's Māori in Wellington through defensive ...

While reduced to 14 men, Ireland managed to work their way downfield and pepper the Māori line. While both teams claimed four tries, the Māori refusal to kick and determination to run from everywhere in challenging conditions was also exposed at times. This turnaround from Ireland's midweek team represents a major milestone. Anyone in these parts still doubting Ireland's quality or depth will be forced to sharply reconsider. Ireland had success contesting the breakdown, slowing the Māori ball and frustrating veteran halfback TJ Perenara. This gave their defence time to reset and hold firm in the face of regular attacking raids. Handing the Māori just the third defeat from their last 31 internationals speaks to the pride the locals have in their jersey and performance.

It has taken a stretch of years, but Ireland have finally beaten the Maori All Blacks. Our Ireland player ratings feature two back-rows in ripping form.

Started the second half by winning his side a breakdown penalty that made it 20-5. Won his side a breakdown penalty, just outside the Irish 22. Was yellow-carded for not retreating 10 metres on a Maori penalty. In the slick conditions, the ball was a bar of soap. Failed to find touch with a clearing penalty kick, on 13 minutes, and was so fortunate it did not result in a Maori try. Did give away a penalty when his knee dropped, after the hour mark. Ireland weathered the storm well, with Larmour in the sin-bin, and a Gavin Coombes try, with 10 minutes to go, made it 25-12. Was yellow-carded for tackling Garden-Bachop, off the ball, and gave up a penalty try, too. Won his side two penalties at Maori rucks inside the Irish half. That miss meant the Maori side needed two scores to win it. A lightning attack and multiple offloads saw Ruben Love get over for a fine try, but the conversion was missed. Ciarán Frawley converted that score and added a penalty to make it 10-5.

An Ireland midweek team showing 15 changes to the side which beat New Zealand on Saturday claimed a 30-24 victory over the Maori All Blacks on Tuesday, ...

- South Africa vs Wales in Cape Town - coverage from 3.30pm (4.05pm kick-off) - Australia vs England in Sydney - coverage from 10:15am (10:55am kick-off) - New Zealand vs Ireland in Wellington - coverage from 7.30am (8:05am kick-off)

Jordan Larmour bagged a brace of scores, providing Ireland's first and last points of the day, with back-rowers Nick Timoney and Gavin Coombes going over in ...

Thankfully we learned from our mistakes in the first game. If another tough evening seemed on the cards then, Ireland replied quickly and were the better team thereafter. At times we didn't help ourselves.

Here's how we rated the Irish players during their 30-24 win against the Maori All Blacks in Wellington.

A more restrained and patient performance from the 22-year-old, who picked off a brilliant jackal penalty in the first half. Was called ashore before the hour mark, leaving it almost certain he'll be in the 23 for Saturday's final Test, and it will be a well deserved inclusion. After the disappointment of his first outing in an Ireland jersey ending with an early concussion, it was great to see Loughman getting a chance to impress. As mentioned above, his second-half grubber to Frawley was judged about as well as he could have, and nearly resulted in a beautiful try. Was solid in the Irish backfield, but produced a superb tackle on big second row Isaia Walker-Leawere when he was the last line of defence Was involved in two choke-tackle turnovers, and his bullet pass to Jordan Larmour put the Leinster man away for Ireland's final try of the night.