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Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton have both received criticism on social media for their roles towards the end of the last gasp defeat to the All Blacks.

But on Wednesday Night Rugby, the lads did not believe they should bear responsibility for the box kick and missed penalty.

Pointing out that Ireland won the ball back three times after Sexton's missed penalty, Thornley felt the key moment which lead to defeat came in the last 30 seconds.

"The pivotal moment in that end game was Nigel Owens penalizing Jack McGrath for going straight off his feet. I've looked at it again and again and I don't think he went straight off his feet. It was a harsh call in the circumstances of the game because there were players going off their feet all the time."

Toland also felt Ireland can learn from some of New Zealand techniques, including their methods at the breakdown 

"New Zealand definitely have a unique technique at the breakdown where they targeted green jerseys. So when an Irish player is tackling a New Zealand player, the next New Zealand guy comes in does not engage and attacks the green jersey, essentially setting up a new target. It's a very interesting development and Ireland will glean from that and learn from that." 

Jack McGrath ©INPHO/James Crombie

Wood felt minor errors were made by Ireland but believes that we would have got away with a win if Joe Schmidt's side were not facing the mighty All Blacks.

But was it an error to keep Jonny Sexton on the pitch prior to his costly missed penalty?

Without the benefit of hindsight, Wood felt making such a decision was always going to fraught with difficulty.  

"The first time I saw him holding his hamstring was after the kick. I hadn't seen him limping before that. That makes it more difficult. Every player makes mistakes. It happens. But it's how he reacts to it. We know he is mentally tough but will feel the pain of missing that kick. It will make him a better player. He'll want to be in that position again and he will nail it."

Jonathan Sexton after the missed kick ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Thornley added that Ronan O'Gara can help Sexton by sharing similar moments he experienced in his own career.

After the game, Ireland No 6 Sean O'Brien revealed his anger about the ending of the game and how the players need to learn to trust each other. Many people have suggested that O'Brien may have been speaking about Ian Madigan's mistake in the final phase of play.  

"I can't imagine that he was picking out Madigan. But in that particular incident, it was a shame that he didn't make the hit and was bamboozled by the 2 v 2. That's part of the learning curve. But I can't imagine O'Brien turning on Madigan in that particular phase."