All Blacks coach Steve Hansen could do nothing but hold his hands up after his side's 16-9 loss to Ireland in Dublin this morning, saying simply that the better team won.
In their first ever home win over the All Blacks, Ireland kept the visitors try-less, holding out for a brilliant victory over the current world champions, sending out a warning to the rest of the world going into the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
Fronting media after the match, Hansen was gracious in defeat, crediting Ireland for the win.
"Firstly, I'd just like to congratulate Ireland," Hansen began.
"They played exceptionally well, deserved to win, took the opportunities they got in the game.
"I thought our discipline in the first half let us down a little bit too. In saying that, I'm very proud of our team too. They showed a lot of courage and heart, you couldn't knock the effort.
"We just got beaten by a better team."
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