Ireland stun New Zealand with last-gasp win in WXV1 opener

STUNNING WIN:Ireland’s Brittany Hogan celebrates after the game. Picture: ©INPHO/Travis Prior

WXV1:Ireland 29 New Zealand 27

Ireland's women produced an upset as they stunned world champions New Zealand 29-27 in their opening WXV1 clash in Vancouver.

Replacement Erin King grabbed her second try to level the scores in the last minute, outside-half Dannah O'Brien holding her nerve to land the decisive conversion via the upright.

New Zealand, who face defending champions England on Sunday, had the bulk of possession throughout the game and had three tries ruled out by the TMO, but Ireland stood firm and seized their chances to run in five tries.

"It's an unbelieve feeling but the group had massive belief all week said captain Edel McMahon.

"We believe in what we are doing, we believe in the connections that we have with each other. We believe in the staff. 

"We work really, really hard off pitch and we work even harder on pitch and we are competing every training session. That's for us validates what we are doing.

"Couldn't be more proud of the girls."

Hooker Atlanta Lolohea got New Zealand off to a fast start, grabbing the opening score after nine minutes.

Renee Holmes added the conversion and was on target again with a penalty after Ireland flanker Aoife Wafer had gone over for the first of her two tries.

Wafer touched down again just after the half-hour, Gloucester-Hartpury hooker Neve Jones also crossing before the break as Ireland opened a surprise 17-10 lead.

Aoife Wafer is taking this match by storm ⛈️

The 21 year-old has scored two tries against the reigning World Champions, New Zealand 👏#WXV | #WXV1 | #NZLvIRE pic.twitter.com/KDoUQZ0McS

— WXV (@WXVRugby) September 30, 2024

But the world champions were level at the break, wing Katelyn Vahaakolo scoring at the end of the half with Holmes adding the conversion.

Holmes put New Zealand back in front with a penalty just before the hour, but that was all they could manage with Irish prop Niamh O'Dowd in the sin bin.

King's first try put Ireland back ahead, but thoughts of a shock result appeared to have been ended when Mererangi Paul rounded off a sweeping move, Holmes adding her third conversion for a five-point lead.

But Ireland would not lie down and after relentless late pressure, King powered over for her second to set up O'Brien's clinching penalty.

Ireland face hosts Canada in their next game on Saturday.

Absolutely unbelievable scenes ☘️

Look at what this result means to the Ireland players and staff 🫶#WXV | #WXV1 | #NZLvIRE https://t.co/9AW5UIn6ft pic.twitter.com/5CB5sudgu7

— WXV (@WXVRugby) September 30, 2024

IRELAND: S Flood (Railway Union RFC), E Considine (Munster), A Dalton (Leinster), E Breen (Munster) ,A-L Murphy Crowe (Munster), D O’Brien (Leinster), M Scuffil-McCabe (Leinster); N O’Dowd (Leinster), N Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury), L Djougang (Leinster), D Wall (Munster), F Tuite (Ulster), A Wafer (Leinster), E McMahon (Connacht)(c), B Hogan (Ulster).

Replacements: C Moloney (Exeter Chiefs), S McCarthy (Munster), A Stock (Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby)*, G Moore (Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby), E King (Old Belvedere RFC), E Lane (Blackrock College RFC), E Higgins (Railway Union RFC), V Elmes Kinlan (Wicklow RFC).

NEW ZEALAND: R Holmes; R Tui, S Brunt, A du Plessis, K Vahaakolo; R Demant (cc), M Joseph; M Parkes, A Lolohea, A Rule; C Bremner, M Roos; L Sae, K Tukuafu (cc), L Mikaele-Tu'u.

Replacements: L Connor, C Viliko, T Kalounivale, A Bremner, L Jenkins, I Hohaia, H King, M Paul.

Referee: Sara Cox.