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Ireland v New Zealand player ratings: Dominant Sam Cane upstages Peter O’Mahony

Ben Coles
·5-min read
New Zealand's Sam Cane, centre evades a tackle by Ireland's Tadhg Beirne, left, during the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris Saturday
Sam Cane produced one of his best performances in an All Black jersey - AP Photo/Christophe Ena

New Zealand came out on top in an absorbing contest to beat Ireland 28-24 at the Stade de France and reach the World Cup semi-finals, as the Six Nations champions fell short once again.

Telegraph Sport rates the players from both sides in a rip-roaring encounter.

Ireland

15 Hugo Keenan
Not quite his usual, classy self. That said, the full-back was a model of solidity. 7/10

14 Mack Hansen 
A marvel. Australian by birth, reminiscent of the great David Campese; he might be as good. 9/10

13 Garry Ringrose
The rapier centre is the perfect foil for Aki’s bludgeon. Kept a leash on Ioane, too. 7/10

12 Bundee Aki
Against his birth nation, it was Aki’s try that gave Ireland hope. In the form of his life. 8/10

11 James Lowe
One of Ireland’s best; he and Hansen single-handedly kept them in it in the first half. 8/10

10 Johnny Sexton (c)
On what might be his last outing, Ireland’s talisman could not have given more for the cause.7/10

Johnny Sexton - Ireland v New Zealand player ratings: Peter O’Mahony subdued as Sam Cane dominates
Johnny Sexton was composed from the tee until he missed a crucial three-pointer in the second-half - PA/Gareth Fuller

9 Jamison Gibson-Park 
The snipe for Ireland’s second try embodied his tempo-setting display, but the sangfroid waned a touch. 7/10

1 Andrew Porter
His work-rate was irrepressible but, unfortunately, so was his indiscipline. 6/10

2 Dan Sheehan
New Zealand targeted him at the set piece - and with good reason. The hooker was shaky. 6/10

3 Tadhg Furlong
One of his most commanding displays of this tournament. Scrummaged like a train and hit like one, too. 8/10

Tadhg Furlong (centre) -
Tadhg Furlong (centre) was rarely at fault when Ireland were pinged at scrum - Reuters/Sarah Meyssonnier

4 Tadhg Beirne
The lock is so skilful, lethal on both sides of the ball, but the All Blacks contained him well. 6/10

5 Iain Henderson
The defensive determination was admirable but the lock struggled to physically impose himself. 6/10

6 Peter O’Mahony
Uncharacteristically subdued and part of the inferior back-row unit on the night.6/10

7 Josh van der Flier
The defensive alacrity could not be questioned but the flanker was found wanting for Jordan’s second-half score. 6/10

8 Caelan Dori
Earnt a critical penalty after early New Zealand defence rattled him. Better without the ball than with it.7/10

Replacements

O’Brien continued Hansen’s majesty, with Murray and Conan restoring Ireland’s composure.
Ronan Kelleher (for Sheehan, 63), Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham (for Furlong, 53), Joe McCarthy (for Henderson 58), Jack Conan (for Van der Flier, 58), Conor Murray (for Gibson-Park, 60), Jack Crowley, Jimmy O’Brien (for Hansen, 55), Dave Kilcoyne (for Andrew Porter), 75 7/10

New Zealand

15 Beauden Barrett 
Cracking chip and chase led to the first try and was strong in the air too. 7/10

14 Will Jordan 
Livewire. Produced a cracking 50:22. Couldn’t stop Gibson-Park’s try but on the end of Mo’unga’s break. 8/10

13 Rieko Ioane 
Combined brilliantly with Fainga’anuku for the opening try. Stepped by Aki for Ireland’s score. 7/10

12 Jordie Barrett
Needed to get over the gain-line and did. Some poor kicks piled on pressure, but he saved the day by crucially holding up Ireland’s maul over the line.7/10

11 Leicester Fainga’anuku 
Great one-two with Ioane for his try and made one brilliant high catch. Promising talent. 8/10

10 Richie Mo’unga
Horrid first up-and-under but chip kicks were sharp. Picked out two forwards and burst clear for Jordan’s score.7/10

9 Aaron Smith
Wobbly first pass and then sin-binned for deliberate knock-on, but pounced for an athletic interception. 6/10

1 Ethan de Groot
Looked under some heat in the scrum and coughed up one ruck penalty, but good around the breakdown. 6/10

2 Codie Taylor
Had 10 tackles by half-time, haring around the park, but sin-binned for collapsing a maul. 6/10

3 Tyrel Lomax
A touch fortunate at scrum time against Porter’s power but did his part clearing rucks. 6/10

4 Brodie Retallick
Early lineout steal and a crucial turnover with Ireland threatening near New Zealand’s line. 8/10

Brodie Retallick - Ireland v New Zealand player ratings: Peter O’Mahony subdued as Sam Cane dominates
Disputed Irelands first lineout and secured an important breakdown turnover when Ireland were looking likely - Getty Images/Chris Hyde

5 Scott Barrett
Did his part slowing Ireland’s mauls and clearing rucks to keep New Zealand in the game. 7/10

6 Shannon Frizell 
Vital in terms of delivering physicality. Soft penalty gifted three points, but was relentless before going off. 7/10

7 Sam Cane (c) 
Had to stop Ireland at the breakdown and certainly did, earning turnover penalties and being a menace throughout. 9/10

Sam Cane (R) - Ireland v New Zealand player ratings: Peter O’Mahony subdued as Sam Cane dominates
Sam Cane (right) made some big hits late on in the game and finished with 23 tackles, the most of any player - Shutterstock/Teresa Suarez

8 Ardie Savea 
Some sensational turnovers and a brilliant diving finish into the corner. One of the world’s best. 9/10

Replacements

Dane Coles, Tamaiti Williams (De Groot 63), Fletcher Newell (Lomax 63), Sam Whitelock (Frizell 59), Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown (Fainga’anuku 64)
Front row produced a welcome scrum penalty and three points despite being down a forward with Ireland controlling momentum. 7/10