Some mixed results in Ireland’s Player Ratings after disappointing All Blacks defeat in Chicago

It wasn’t to be a repeat of 2016 as Ireland lost a weird test match 26-13 to the All Blacks at Soldier Field in Chicago.

The vibe seemed to be off for much of the game, with players repeatedly not being able to hear the referee’s whistle, as well as there being huge issues around communication with the TMO and the replays on the big screen.

Ireland looked good for a lot of the game, spending a lot of time in the Kiwi half, though they never really looked like threatening the line after Tadhg Furlong’s first-half try. The All Blacks only need an inch of space to score a try, and they showed that.

They then ran away with the score as Ireland became disjointed, and the Kiwi bench gave them so much energy in the final quarter.

Ireland Player Ratings after Chicago defeat.

Jamie Osborne- 6

DIDN’T have much to do but won the aerial duel when needed to.

Tommy O’Brien- 6

NEVER got the space in attack, but he held his own in the big game.

Garry Ringrose- 7

GREW into the game after a sloppy start, slipped off a few tackles.

Stuart McCloskey- 8

BIG GAME STU lived up to the occasion in Chicago. Always shows up when it matters.

James Lowe- 5

TARGETED by the All Blacks in attack, and his shot out of the line gave them the decisive score.

Jack Crowley- 7

CONTINUED his good form, though he was able to get Ireland to convert good field position.

Jamison Gibson-Park- 8

REDEMPTION after his rough display at Croke Park. Kicking was impeccable.

Andrew Porter- 6

LOST the scrum battle, handed New Zealand a lot of handy penalties.

Dan Sheehan (C)- 6

LINEOUT wasn’t working at all. Cost of Ireland a lot of good field position.

Tadhg Furlong- 8

PLAYING some of the best rugby he has in years. Lost the scrum battle, but some ferocious carries.

Tadhg Beirne- N/A

UNFORTUNATE with the harsh red card, he was a massive loss for Ireland in the second row.

James Ryan- 5

DESERVES some of the blame for the lineout malfunctioning as well, the set piece is a real problem.

Ryan Baird- 8

ONE of his best performances in a green shirt, he’s an animal and needs to kick on now.

Josh van der Flier- 6

TIME to start looking at who’s next after Van der Flier, can’t rely on him forever.

Jack Conan- 7

RELIABLE as always from Conan. Always there to get Ireland out of trouble.

Subs- 6

GENERALLY did well as Henderson did the long shift, playing for nearly an hour. Doris looked solid on his return. However, when compared to the energy from the All Blacks, Ireland needed more from the bench.

Andy Farrell- 6

BIG decisions in McCloskey, Crowley and Baird paid off, but Ireland never felt like they’d win, even with all the territory. Lack of killer’s instinct on attack, a lot to work on.

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.