Ireland lost 40-21 to New Zealand at Eden Park in a six‑try defeat, marking their sixth consecutive loss to the All Blacks, France and South Africa.

The team chased desperately for consolation and try‑bonus points in the second half, but first‑half lapses and a drop in accuracy—notes Andy Farrell—cost them. Conor Murray echoed that such errors cannot be overcome against the All Blacks. The players displayed character and fight, evident in the comeback against Australia, but the All Blacks punished mistakes immediately.

Injuries compounded the challenge: captain Caelan Doris missed the trip, while James Lowe, Jack Crowley, Andrew Porter and others were absent. Despite this, Ireland still secured a Triple Crown, narrowly missed a Six Nations title and won two Tests in the southern hemisphere.

Farrell gave eight players their debut this season, including four against Japan. Though the result shows gaps, Dan Sheehan praised the season, and the squad will learn and aim to improve ahead of the World Cup. The head coach emphasised continuous improvement, noting that the World Cup in 2025 demands better accuracy and consistency.