Ireland will face Fiji in the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympics after being edged out by New Zealand 14-12 in a thrilling final Pool A match.
Zac Ward opened the scoring for Ireland after a blistering run out wide before Jordan Conroy touched down for a 12-0 lead at half-time.
Leroy Carter responded for New Zealand before Ngarohi McGarvey-Black’s converted score on the buzzer gave New Zealand the win.
The sides were locked together heading into the Pool A decider at the Stade de France, but Ireland almost made the perfect start but 15s star Hugo Keenan dropped the ball with the try line gaping.
Ward’s stunning solo score was followed by another impressive try by Conroy, who was injured in the process of touching down.
Carter immediately hit back at the start of the second half, but although Ireland controlled possession they could not find a score to see the game out.
However, New Zealand grabbed their final chance when McGarvey-Black dotted down and Andrew Knewstubb landed the excellent conversion.