New Zealand moved into the semi-finals at the rugby union World Cup on Saturday night following a pulsating 28-24 victory over Ireland at the Stade de France.
They sealed their slot in the last four after resisting a 37-phase session of Irish pressure close to their own try line.
“It’s almost as long a period to defend that I’ve heard of or witnessed,” said New Zealand skipper Sam Cane soon after the victory.
“The ability for the boys to just keep turning up for each other is incredible,” he added.
“It’s pretty clear that defence probably won us the Test match tonight. And, you know, history shows that teams that win World Cups have a very good defence.”
The Irish players sank to their knees when the penalty was awarded against them.
Cane’s counterpart Johnny Sexton admitted he thought his side was on the verge of winning.
“I thought we had them a couple of times,” said Sexton. “And then obviously to concede the turnover when we were so close to the line was tough.
“There were probably a couple of overlaps we didn’t take full advantage of. But again, incredible to have the stakes so high and go through that many phases just showed what this group is made of.”
The final whistle brought an end to Sexton’s international career after 116 caps over 14 years and 1,095 international points. It also added another chapter to the tale of Irish quarter-final woe.
No side from the country has reached the last four in the 36-year history of the rugby union World Cup but the one led by Sexton and coached by Andy Farrell had been widely tipped to go all the way to the crown.
“Sport can be cruel sometimes. I suppose that’s why we love it so much.”
Fight
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