Rugby: All Blacks slip to first defeat against Ireland on Kiwi soil in Dunedin smash and grab

For the first time in their history, Ireland have defeated the All Blacks in New Zealand, winning 23-12 in Dunedin.

With victories in Chicago and Dublin under their belts since 2016, Ireland claimed their last remaining accolade in their recent superiority over the All Blacks, also handing Ian Foster's side a first loss at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

The All Blacks' cause was hindered by three separate cards, including yellows to Leicester Fainga'anuku and Ofa Tuungafasi, before Angus Ta'avao became just the seventh New Zealander in history to be shown a red card.

Ireland halfback Jamison Gibson-Park.
Ireland halfback Jamison Gibson-Park. Photo credit: Image - Photosport

Ireland's victory levels the three-match series at 1-1, leaving both teams with all to play for in next week's finale, held at Wellington's Sky Stadium.

What's more, the loss means the All Blacks have now won just one of their last four tests, following defeats to Ireland in Dublin and France in Paris to end 2021.

A week ago, Ireland started as the stronger of the two sides at Eden Park, thanks largely to captain Johnny Sexton, before he was forced off after failing a head injury assessment (HIA).

But passed fit in the week, Sexton was instrumental in the opening try, putting prop Andrew Porter through to score, and converting to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.

A Sexton penalty took Ireland's lead to 10 points, before wheels fell off the All Blacks' wagon.

Winger Leicester Fainga'anuku was shown a yellow card for connecting with the head of opposite Mack Hansen attempting to charge down a kick. 

Next, the hosts were reduced to 13, as prop Ofa Tuungafasi was shown yellow, ruled to have taken out Garry Ringrose off the ball.

Fainga'anuku returned, only for the All Blacks to lose replacement Angus Ta'avao, as a head clash with Ringrose saw the prop shown a straight red card, despite being knocked unconscious by the clash of heads.

Ta'avao's red card saw him become the seventh All Black in history to be shown a red card, and left New Zealand down a man for the remaining 49 minutes.

Ireland's James Lowe.
Ireland's James Lowe. Photo credit: Image - Getty Images

Despite the numerical advantage, Ireland couldn't add to their score, as ill-discipline saw the visitors reduced to 14, when lock James Ryan was sin-binned for repeated infringements.

And with the final play of the first half, the All Blacks hit back through Beauden Barrett, who toed the ball through Ireland's line, pouncing on his own kick to score under the posts.

For all of their superiority in terms of numbers and territory, Ireland found themselves up by only three points at 10-7 at halftime.

But after the calamitous end to the first half, Ireland regathered themselves after the break.

Porter restored Ireland's 10-point advantage with his second try of the night, with Saturday's haul doubling his test career tally.

Basic mistakes cost the All Blacks dearly in the second spell, while poor discipline inside their own half gave Ireland the chance to extend their lead.

A pair of penalties to Sexton extended Ireland's lead to 16 points at 23-7, and left the All Blacks needing to score three times in the final 10 minutes if they were to avoid defeat.

Substitute Will Jordan grabbed one back for the All Blacks, crossing over for his 18th try in just his 14th test. But it was ultimately too little, too late, as Ireland closed out arguably their most significant victory over the All Blacks to date.

While the All Blacks will regather to lick their wounds before next week's decider, Ireland will face the Māori All Blacks in a midweek encounter, looking to avenge their defeat suffered in Rotorua last month.

All Blacks 12 (B. Barrett, Jordan tries; J.Barrett conversion)

Ireland 23 (Porter 2 tries; Sexton conversion, Sexton 3 penalties)