Ireland Falls to New Zealand, Ends Home Streak

Ireland's rugby team faced a disappointing 23-13 defeat against New Zealand, marking their first home loss since 2021 and ending a 19-match winning streak at Aviva Stadium. Coach Andy Farrell acknowledged the team's poor performance, citing a lack of accuracy and an excess of errors, with Ireland conceding 13 penalties during the match. Farrell stated there were 'no excuses' and that the best team won, emphasizing the need for Ireland to improve their mentality and gameplay ahead of their next match against Argentina. The atmosphere in the dressing room was described as sombre, reflecting the players' disappointment after a game that failed to live up to the rivalry's intense standards. Farrell noted that despite the loss, the team must regroup and find solutions quickly, as they face formidable opponents in upcoming fixtures. This defeat is seen as a wake-up call for Ireland as they aim to bounce back in their November series.