Josh van der Flier

Here's how we rated the Ireland team that secured a first ever Test series win in New Zealand.

Was in his element in the toughest of environments and a shout for player of the series. It was his line break that led to field position for the opening try. Made 10 tackles, gave away no penalties and was in the mix at almost every twist and turn of the game. The European player of the year got over for another try, clocked 22 tackles and made eight runs, including a clean break. Scrum was solid throughout and Porter was back to his usual self in the loose. Clever footwork pre-contact made sure he was able to break the gainline for the majority of his 12 carries and he never shirked a challenge. Appeared to have put his back problems from earlier in the season behind him. Chipped in with 14 tackles and left the field bloodied and bruised. Made 11 tackles, the most of the backs apart from Johnny Sexton, and was in perfect harmony with Aki for his try. But his brief would have been all about the set-piece and ruck discipline, where he was faultless. Seemed to catch all of the numerous New Zealand restarts in the first half and if they were targetting the Kiwi then it was a mistake. Outplayed his opposite number Aaron Smith and generally took the right option in attack.

Ireland players celebrate their side's first try scored by Wicklow's Josh van der Flier during the Steinlager Series match against New Zealand at Sky Stadium in ...

Having toppled the mighty New Zealand for the first time ever last weekend in Dunedin, all the pre-match chatter was on redemption and ferocity on the part of the home side. A Rob Herring try after 64 lifted the siege and Ireland, with Bray’s Jack Conan coming off the bench to put in a significant showing, held on for a magical victory that should set them up nicely for next year’s World Cup. A New Zealand resurgence was inevitable, and they tore into the visitors to close to within five, but a Johnny Sexton penalty pushed Ireland eight clear after 56.

Josh van der Flier gave Ireland perfect start after converting a try four minutes in before Hugo Keenan and Robbie Henshaw helped the visitors earn a ...

The Irish dug in resolutely in the closing stages as they held on for a milestone result which lays down a marker ahead of next year's World Cup in France. They crossed for a second time in the 28th minute as Keenan burst clear to touch down wide on the left following a fine pass from James Lowe. Buzzing with intent, the Irish flew out of the blocks, culminating in flanker Van Der Flier crashing over in the fourth minute to claim his eighth international score. Ireland celebrate the try of Josh van der Flier after just three minutes of the match Ireland battled to a landmark series win in New Zealand after holding off a second-half fightback to secure a stunning 32-22 success from an epic encounter in Wellington. - Will Jordan produced a brilliant solo try to help secure the win for Ireland