Ireland experiences a heavy defeat while advancing towards the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup against New Zealand

In a disappointing turn of events for the Irish rugby team, they were defeated by New Zealand in their Pool C match of the World Cup, with a final score of 0-40. The Black Ferns, led by head coach Allan Bunting, showcased their superior strength and skill throughout the game.

The second half proved to be particularly challenging for Ireland, with Renee Holmes landing two more touchline conversions, effectively twisting the knife for the home team. Holmes converted four of her five attempts from close to the touchline, demonstrating her accuracy and precision under pressure.

The Irish team faced a significant setback when fullback Stacey Flood was taken off the field on a mobile stretcher due to an apparent ankle injury. Scott Bemand, the coach of the Irish team, revealed after the game that Flood had suffered a cut. Eve Higgins, who was removed late in the game, passed her HIA (Head Injury Assessment) and was deemed fit to continue.

New Zealand's efficient catch-and-pass and running lines were on full display, with Waaka creating space for Braxton Sorensen-McGee to score a try. Sorensen-McGee went on to score a hat-trick for the Black Ferns, making it six tries in two games. Mai Joseph secured New Zealand's bonus point with her try, putting Sorensen-McGee over for her hat-trick.

Liana Mikaele-Tu'u and Sylvia Brunt stood out in the collisions for the Black Ferns, demonstrating their power and dominance. The Irish team never stopped trying, but were rebuffed and repelled by a highly-motivated Black Ferns team.

Despite the lopsided score, there were moments of brilliance from the Irish side. Niamh O'Dowd made a fine offload in the tackle to release Moore through the middle of New Zealand's defensive line. Jorga Miller won a turnover to lead a break out for New Zealand, resulting in a try for Holmes that was ruled out. Ireland denied New Zealand a seemingly inevitable fourth try thanks to Amee-Leigh Costigan and cover from Reilly.

The game was attended by 30,017 spectators, with a majority being Irish supporters. Despite the outcome, the Irish fans showed their unwavering support for their team throughout the match.

As the World Cup continues, Ireland will look to regroup and learn from this encounter, aiming to put up a stronger fight in their upcoming matches. The Black Ferns, on the other hand, will carry their momentum forward, aiming to continue their dominant run in the tournament.

Ireland experiences a heavy defeat while advancing towards the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup against New Zealand