Ireland stun world champions New Zealand in WXV1
Ireland players celebrate their stunning win over New Zealand after the final whistle
- Published
Ireland have secured a sensational last-gasp 29-27 win over world champions New Zealand in their opening WXV1 match in Vancouver.
Replacement Erin King scored her second try of the game to level the score in the final minute, with fly-half Dannah O'Brien kicking the decisive conversion via the upright.
Ireland ran in five tries while their opponents enjoyed the majority of possession but had three tries disallowed by the television match official [TMO].
The stunning victory marks another significant milestone in Ireland's recent renaissance under head coach Scott Bemand following a third-place finish in the 2024 Six Nations and a home victory over Australia in September.
Ireland's next game is against hosts Canada on Saturday, while the Black Ferns will face holders England on Sunday.
Ireland edge Black Ferns in see-saw encounter
New Zealand opened the scoring on nine minutes as hooker Atlanta Lolohea touched down at the back of a driving maul.
But Ireland replied quickly as flanker Aoife Wafer barged her way over the line from close range.
A Renee Holmes penalty extended New Zealand's lead to 10-5, before Wafer grabbed her second score, peeling away from the base of an attacking scrum to burrow over.
O'Brien put Ireland in front with the conversion and their advantage became a seven-point one when hooker Neve Jones was awarded a try after referee Sara Cox consulted with TMO Ian Tempest.
O'Brien was off-target with the subsequent conversion and New Zealand were on level terms by half-time when wing Katelyn Vahaakolo supplied the finish and Holmes kicked her second conversion.
Midway through the second half a Holmes penalty edged her side in front while Niamh O'Dowd was in the sin-bin but Ireland replied with the next points when they were restored to their full complement of 15 players.
More good work from Wafer helped Ling go over for her first score, then Mererangi Paul stretched to touch down and put New Zealand ahead again.
King rumbled over from close range again however to level at 27-27 and O'Brien kept her composure to deliver the winning additional two points from the tee.