On a night when everyone in green played their part in toppling the All Blacks, Peter O'Mahony and Tadhg Furlong shone brightest in a stellar collective performance.
15. Rob Kearney 8.5/10
With Jordan Larmour's trajectory continuing to rise, Kearney was keen to remind what he offers at 15 on his 87th occasion donning the green jersey. Appeared to cross the whitewash short of the half-hour mark, but the TMO correctly ruled otherwise. Superb after the break as answered any questions asked aerially or on the ground.
14. Keith Earls 7/10
The winger had few opportunities to add to his tally of 27 tries, though created inroads in the build-up to Johnny Sexton's 11th-minute opening score. Dealt well with a lot of ball kicked down his channel and covered a huge amount of ground as he patrolled the New Zealand attacks.
13. Garry Ringrose 8.5/10
Fourth time linking up with Bundee Aki in midfield and it looked like a seasoned partnership. Shut down any sniping runs, cleverly catching Beauden Barrett by surprise in the 21st minute to engineer a turnover. Footwork caused New Zealand midfield plenty of problems and for all his guile, his appetite to defend is reminiscent of another man who wore the 13 jersey with such distinction through the years.
12. Bundee Aki 7.5/10
Most inexperienced starting member of the backline, but looked assured on his first outing against his home country. Quickly off the line whenever Damian McKenzie came into possession and barrelled into attack at every opportunity.
11. Jacob Stockdale 8.5/10
A tricky start for the Ulster winger when he was bottled up when turning to retrieve a kick-through in the first quarter, but lurked throughout and was always an option for Sexton with the cross-kick. His confidence shone through early in the second half with his 12th try in 14 Test games. Was very fortunate that his chip, blocked by Kieran Read but knocked on in his attempt to regather, didn't result in a breakaway try for the visitors, but moments later again spotted the space and this time executed perfectly to finish despite the desperate challenge of Aaron Smith. Had Steve Hansen's side on the rack again late on with a similar move, but Wayne Barnes wasn't swayed by the raucous Irish crowd claiming he had been taken out as he raced along the tramline.
10. Johnny Sexton 8/10
Marshalled the troops as you would expect from the World Player of the Year nominee. Flung himself at everything that moved in a black jersey, though his high tackle on Richie Mo'unga - which Barrett slotted to reduce the gap to seven points - was an exception to some disciplined defensive work from the team.
9. Kieran Marmion 7/10
With only one Six Nations start under his belt, easily the biggest game of his Test career. Replacing Conor Murray is no easy task, but the passing lacked speed and box-kicks didn't have enough hang time for Ireland to make inroads in the air. He did however make a try-saving tackle on Rieke Ioane which epitomised his defensive duties.
1. Cian Healy 8/10
Began both games against the world champions in 2016 off the bench, but demonstrated why he has nudged ahead of Jack McGrath in the pecking order. Relished taking the ball hard at the All Blacks defence with massive leg drives.Departed the field with little left in the tank.
2. Rory Best 7/10
Cut a frustrated figure at times communicating with Wayne Barnes in the opening 40 minutes as an at-times perfunctory All Blacks defence coughed up nine penalties without losing a player to the sin-bin. Surprising call not to go for the scrum shortly before the break with dominance at the set-piece and a couple of handling errors will no doubt be revisited in camp. Played his part in a powerful scrummaging performance.
3. Tadhg Furlong 9/10
With Joe Moody ruled out, Karl Tu'inukuafe was making just his 10th appearance for the All Blacks and it was a chastening experience up against the Irish tighteahd. A scintillating performance, demolishing his opponent before the interval and a bulldozing presence with ball in hand. Simply world class.
4. Devin Toner 8.5/10
Recalled after Ireland lost three lineouts and a numbers of aerial battles last week against Argentina. A reminder of what he can do in the loose with a crunching tackle on Brodie Retallick that led to a first-half turnover. More than justified his recall to the starting XV.
5. James Ryan 8/10
A 13th outing for the second row, but far from unlucky for Ryan. A willing ball carrier and grew into the game as Ireland dominated territory. Stock continues to soar.
6. Peter O’Mahony 9.5/10
Led by example from a myriad of carries and after last week's issues at the lineout, assumed the responsibility of claiming the first throw. Claimed a couple of crucial second half turnovers that swung the momentum and it was fitting that his final action in the game was to force a New Zealand ball carrier into not releasing at the breakdown as they inched into Irish territory. Deservedly received a rapturous response from the crowd as he departed. Another colossal showing.
7. Josh van der Flier 8.5/10
The tackling machine was to the fore early on, engineering a turnover in the fifth minute after heavy early All Blacks pressure. Seán O'Brien's loss was rued in many quarters because of his ball carrying, but van der Flier was conspicuous by the amount of times he made hard yards and was a constant menace at the breakdown. The Irish defence preserved it's equanimity during testing stages after the break and the flanker was a key figure in keeping the All Blacks at bay.
8. CJ Stander 8/10
A player who has built his reputation on going through, rather than around defences, and didn't disappoint against such formidable opponents. A number of big carries and unfortunate not to go over in the 25th minute when he was deemed to have been held up on the line.
Replacements
16. Sean Cronin 7/10
Fast line speed was a big asset as New Zealand tried to find holes in the Irish defence, though a couple of jittery throws did little for the blood pressure of the home supporters.
17. Jack McGrath 7/10
Not troubled in the scrum and slotted in seamlessly for Healy.
18. Andrew Porter 7/10
Another who looks more like a seasoned international than a man making just his 11th appearance.
19. Iain Henderson 8/10
Came on at a time with the defensive line up pressure, but revelled in throwing his body at New Zealand targets. Stole a Dane Coles throw at a time when Ireland struggled to keep a hold of the ball.
20. Jordi Murphy 7.5/10
Had big shoes to fill in replacing Peter O'Mahony, but Joe Schmidt's trusted lieutenant was as reliable as ever.
21. Luke McGrath 7/10
Introduced in the 58th minute and was very much at home in the absorbing encounter. Marmion will be looking nervously over his shoulder as first-choice back-up for Murray.
22. Joey Carbery 7/10
Two games against the All Blacks and two wins. Came on with four minutes to go and was restricted to a defensive effort.
23. Jordan Larmour 7/10
Has enjoyed nothing but highs in a short, but already decorated rugby career. Another update to the CV.
