New Zealand always find a way. Except when they don't.
Ireland recorded the most compelling victory over New Zealand that was as deserved as it was memorable.
Rarely has an Irish team produced such a high-quality and high octane performance. That it came against the number one ranked team in the world was even better.
From the off it was a series of unstoppable forces meeting immovable objects and in the end, it was Andy Farrell’s side who prevailed, recording just a third ever win over the All Blacks.
Ireland have been brave in defeat before.
This time they were brave in victory, never shirking, never taking an easy option and taking the game to their illustrious opponents at every opportunity.
Ireland’s tries came from James Lowe, Rónan Kelleher and man of the match Caelan Doris as they stretched their winning run to seven matches.
It was the epitome of why international Tests in rugby are not called friendlies and the opening was incredible.
The teams simply clattered into each other from the first whistle and the collisions could be heard over the noise of a full crowd at the Dublin 4 venue.
It looked like New Zealand would open the scoring when Will Jordan collected Beauden Barrett's cross kick but a combination of Lowe, Garry Ringrose and Andrew Conway somehow managed to prevent a try.
The crowd erupted as Kelleher intercepted and suddenly Ireland found themselves down the other end of the field.
Johnny Sexton was being hit late and often by an All Blacks line that was playing over the edge.
Codie Taylor went in the bin when a swinging arm made contact with the captain’s head, while Ethan Blackadder was lucky not to visit the sin-bin later in the half for a cynical late tackle.
Ireland dominated possession and in defence were able to stop the midfield runs of Anton Lienart-Brown at source.
The opening try was no more than Ireland deserved and the energetic Lowe, playing against his native country, was the man to finish off the move.
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Hugo Keenan fired an inch-perfect pass 20 metres for Lowe, who dived into the corner.
Sexton just pushed the conversion wide and five minutes later Jordie Barrett got the visitors on the board with a straightforward penalty when Iain Henderson, the only change to the team from last week, went offside.
But Ireland countered and laid siege inside the New Zealand 22. Sexton declined a kickable penalty but Ireland couldn’t covert. Firstly going off their feet just a metre out and then pinged for holding on.
A double movement by Kelleher inches from the line cost Tadhg Furlong a try seconds later and within two minutes Ian Foster’s side had their first five-pointer.
It was all too simple when it happened.
Dalton Papalii ran through a massive gap between Kelleher and Furlong at the back of a lineout and the Blues man found Taylor on his outside.
The hooker sprinted in from 22 metres, for a try converted by Barrett, who brother Beauden had departed for a head injury assessment, from which he didn’t return.
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In overtime Ireland kicked to the corner again but couldn’t claim the lineout and the half-time whistle blew with the home side wondering how they were 10-5 behind on the scoreboard.
It was breathless stuff and Ireland’s second try came just four minutes after the resumption. Conway and the superb Ringrose made the inroads and Kelleher barged over.
Sexton’s shot hit the post but Ireland were truly on it now.
The outstanding Doris, the way paved by a massive clear out by the busy James Ryan, cut inside and surged under the posts.
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Lansdowne Road erupted. Sexton converted and added a penalty when David Havili went offside. It was a blatantly cynical foul and referee Luke Pearce should have produced yellow.
Then New Zealand moved up a gear. Jordan, collecting the ball in space, chipped ahead for Rieke Ioane, who popped back to the wing for a run in under the posts.
Sexton, who needed attention for a knee issue in the first half, eventually succumbed 15 minutes to play after a typically assured game with ball in hand.
Joey Carbery’s first involvement was to slot over a penalty to hand Ireland a 23-17 lead.
Back came the Kiwis. Jordan was stopped under the posts after a clever Richie Mo’unga chip, and Akira Ioane’s try was disallowed for a forward pass.
Instead full-back Barrett reduced the deficit with a tap over and Ireland had 10 minutes to hold out.
But holding out was never going to cut it.
Lowe, dropped at the end of last season to work on his defence, made a super read in midfield that prevented a certain try.
The tackle turned into a penalty and Carbery, from the centre of the field, drilled it over the bar with an inch or two to spare.
Keith Earls then forced Sevu Reece into a rash pass, the ball tumbling over the sideline and the crowd erupted again.
New Zealand tried to force another opportunity but when Tadhg Beirne came up with a typical turnover it handed Carbery the chance to push the deficit to nine and it was game over.
Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Andrew Conway, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Johnny Sexton, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; Iain Henderson, James Ryan, Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery, Keith Earls.
New Zealand: Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sevu Reece, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Whitelock (capt.), Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.
Replacements: Dane Coles, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Tyrel Lomax, Tupou Vaa'i, Akira Ioane, Finlay Christie, Richie Mo'unga, David Havili.
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
