#4. Will Jordan (New Zealand) <\/p>\n
Jordan\u2019s attacking prowess was largely neutralized against Ireland. Though secure under the high ball, the match offered few opportunities for his usual game-breaking plays. Passing errors and limited involvement in open play made for an uncharacteristically subdued performance from the All Blacks star.<\/p>\n
Rugby Pass 5\/10: <\/a>\u201cJordan\u2019s high-ball game has come under scrutiny in 2025, with new laws putting more pressure on the aerial contests. In Chicago, he was a safe pair of hands. The game didn\u2019t open up much to show Jordan\u2019s game-breaking ability, and his playmaking was average with some poor passes seeing the ball hit the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n #5. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)<\/p>\n Beirne\u2019s day ended disastrously early following a controversial red card for a high tackle on Beauden Barrett. With Ireland playing over 20 minutes down a man, the second row\u2019s absence was a major blow, leaving the team without one of its most influential forwards and effectively derailing any hopes of repeating past heroics.<\/p>\n Rugby Pass 2\/10: <\/a>\u201cSeemed to think he was a Chicago Bears defensive lineman with his bizarre shoulder check on Beauden Barrett after two minutes was reckless and entirely unnecessary. Once the TMO upgraded yellow to red, Ireland\u2019s hopes of repeating 2016\u2019s heroics took a major dent.\u201d<\/p>\n Irish Examiner: \u201cSensationally good on his first seasonal turn for Munster against Leinster two weeks ago, any hopes of the Eadestown man doing the same here were ended by an astonishingly bad red card three minutes in after his coming-to with Beauden Barrett. A huge loss.\u201d<\/p>\n RUCK 1\/10: \u201cA disappointing outing for the Irish second row, whose day ended early after a controversial red card for a collision with New Zealand fly-half Beauden Barrett. Dismissed in the opening stages, Ireland were left without one of their most influential forwards, forced to play 20 minutes down a man.\u201d<\/p>\n