"I started a joke, that started the whole world ......" | Ireland v New Zealand.

Touchè

Going through a divorce at moment and the only thing keeping me going was the rugby. **** devasted. What curse is on us

Yes, we've been concentrating on Ireland naturally enough but the ABs can be proud of themselves. They showed up on the night, played to their max and had tremendous character and resolve, even when things were going against them.

Bit they did beat us. In a world cup 1/4 final. Where it matters.

We harp on about winning in Chicago, winning a test in NZ, games that don't matter in the grand scheme of things.

Well if all Irish teams fell at the Q/F then they are equal in that and it's the other things they done that would be the tie breaker.

Are they the best ever ? I think thats subjective but losing today doesn't disqualify them from the argument.

McCarthy and JOB added a bit of impact when we were starting to flag. Hopefully they'll have a part to play in the years to come.

Ringrose and Keenan were magnificent, as was Aki.

Here it is my 2c:

Hugo Keenan - very good game. Kicked well. Ran great lines. 8/10

James Lowe - solid performance but couldn't really create anything. 7/10

Mack Hansen - started well, looked lively but the injury may have hampered him. 7/10

Jimmy O'Brien - first game of WC and didn't put a foot wrong. Probably should have started instead of Hansen. 8/10

Garry Ringrose - non stop defence all game. His attacking prowess was stifled by NZ. Should have influenced game more. 7/10

Bundee Aki - continued his great run of form. Always made yards. Always threatening. Bizarre that the shoulder to the head in first half was deemed ok by TMO. Pity that his age is against him for next WC. 9/10

Jonny Sexton - led from the front and never eased up. But looked to be carrying an injury. Might have been better to get Crowley on for last 10mins. Will we see a player of his quality in green again anytime soon? 8/10

Jamison Gibson Park - took try very well but was hampered by clever NZ play at rucks. Ball was slowed well by them. Ruck time was longer than we're accustomed to. Didn't impact the game as much as usual. 7/10

Conor Murray - stupid, needless, penalty conceded during his short cameo. I'm still bulling over it. 5/10

Caelan Doris - unfortunate knock on. Carried frequently but was outplayed by his opposite number. 6/10

Peter O'Mahony - another forward who was eclipsed by his opponent. 6/10

Josh van der Flier - wasn't surprised to see him subbed. It didn't go his way today. 6/10

Jack Conan - strong cameo. Most of it done with one boot. 7/10

Iain Henderson - looked gassed very early on. Lots of effort. Little reward. 6/10

Tadgh Beirne - very lively all game. But gassed at the end. Took ball during last few phases and stood still. 7/10

Joe McCarthy - one for the future. Didn't really impact game today though. 6/10

Andrew Porter - can't ignore those scrums. Very good in the loose though. A great tournament but didn't peak today. 7/10

Dan Sheehan - NZ kept him quiet. Didn't see any spectacular loose play. 6/10

Rónan Kelleher - very unlucky not to get a pen when Barnes gave a knock on against him. Threw well and, possibly, was the better Irish hooker today. 7/10

Tadgh Furlong - hasn't been at his peak for a while. Great effort today and got around the pitch to secure plenty of ball. Doesn't have as much explosive power as before. 6/10

Findlay Bealham - very short cameo. A much improved player, in general. 6/10

Dave Kilcoyne - always gives 100%. But at a level lower than we need for a replacement front row. 6/10

We didn't sh*t the bed. But we didn't perform at 100%. Kearney thinks we were at 75% - I agree. NZ pressure was what made us under perform.

I humbly await everyone's outrage at my synopsis!

The bad news Zealand team that are southern hemisphere champs for four years running.

What else have they done that is the tie breaker?

All those knock ons and lost lineouts........NZ were much tidier in those aspects.

And Beauden Barrett......the difference.

Ans still we nearly won.

Stanley Goodspeed : I'll do my best.

John Mason : Your "best"! Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and **** the prom queen.

The series win in NZ is seriously devalued after this....back to back QF losses to NZ...

Thats what matters....

You always felt thought that as close as we got NZ could always pull away again.

I still cant believe sexton misses that penalty. Puts us within a DG.