3. Tadhg Furlong \u2013 7<\/p>\n
Beast of a scrummager with good awareness in broken play \u2013 both attributes on show in Chicago. Hit a sharp angle to score when the 14-man Irish were running on adrenalin. His side led 13-7, when the big prop trotted off the field with 20 minutes remaining. He\u2019d look pretty good in black.<\/p>\n
Ireland\u2019s Tadhg Furlong gets across the line to score against the All Blacks at Solider Field, in Chicago. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
4. James Ryan \u2013 6<\/p>\n
Workhorse delivered a workmanlike shift; Ireland probably needed something a little more dynamic to cut through. Tellingly, the two (more junior) All Blacks locks looked more effective<\/a>.<\/p>\n 5. Tadhg Beirne \u2013 1<\/p>\n His technique in that hit on Beauden Barrett was terrible. The 20-minute sanction was a reasonable punishment. The defence that he wasn\u2019t expecting the runner is lame. The whole idea of attacking in rugby is to catch defenders unaware and if you\u2019re not expecting a ball-runner, what are you doing on the field, mate?<\/p>\n 6. Ryan Baird \u2013 7<\/p>\n A powerful performance of the type the Irish pack delivered in that legendary 2022 series on our shores. Baird was in everything the Irish did well, pilfering lineouts, smashing runners and ramming the ball forward. But again, another who couldn\u2019t actually cut through the All Blacks\u2019 defence. Faded as the final whistle neared.<\/p>\n 7. Josh van der Flier \u2013 5<\/p>\n Hefty carries in early exchanges. But 2022\u2019s World Player of the Year was shaded as a breakdown operator by his opposite number Ardie Savea<\/a> (who bagged that same award in 2023). Made the most tackles (17) of anyone on the park \u2013 but it\u2019s the one he missed that\u2019ll be remembered; he was flatfooted (along with teammates) when Cam Roigard scored near the end. No 7s are meant to bury No 9s who are rude enough to run that line from a scrum.<\/p>\n 8. Jack Conan \u2013 6<\/p>\n A busy battering-ram day, but like his locking colleagues, most of his ball-carrying was done in close-in channels where the All Blacks defenders could soak it up.<\/p>\n 9. Jamison Gibson-Park \u2013 8<\/p>\n Best halfback on show (until the final quarter), and for a while there he was possibly the best Kiwi on show as well. JGP was crucial to Ireland\u2019s early survival then brief dominance<\/a>, picking runners well and kicking with brains and heft. Terrific on game management and distribution, but lacks the cutting run of Roigard. <\/p>\n 10 Jack Crowley \u2013 5<\/p>\nIrish loosie Ryan Baird competes for the ball with All Blacks lock Fabian Holland, in Chicago. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
Ireland\u2019s Jack Conan has a happy moment after his side’s solitary try against the All Blacks, in Chicago. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n