Ireland's history-makers: Three Moments That Turned The Series

From Sexton's HIA to Beirne's last stand

CRUCIAL: Ireland’s Andrew Porter scores a try. ©INPHO/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

1 Auckland: Johnny Sexton Fails His HIA.

It was all going so well for Ireland at the All Blacks fortress Eden Park after a Keith Earls try got the tourists off to the perfect start inside six minutes of the opening Test. Then Ireland’s captain and fly-half lost his footing and fell head first into Sam Cane’s knee and the rest is history. Sexton was forced off for a Head Injury Assessment from which he would not return, the match swung unequivocally the way of New Zealand. Three tries in the 10 minutes before half-time handed the All Blacks the initiative and with a half-time deficit of 28-5 Ireland could not find a way back. First blood to the Kiwis with a 42-19 victory.