New Zealand unfurled a commanding first-half performance to beat Ireland 40-21 in a bruising Test on Saturday and extend their remarkable unbeaten streak at Eden Park to 53 matches.
The All Blacks scored four of their six tries in the first spell to lead 28-7 at the interval, setting up a third win from three matches in the inaugural Nations Championship.
Playing their final game of the season, Ireland failed to mount a sustained assault on the home side’s 32-year-old record in Auckland.
They paid for an error-riddled start in which they missed too many tackles and made fundamental handling mistakes. The visitors improved as the match progressed but couldn’t add to this month’s Nations Championship wins over the Wallabies and Japan in Australia.
New All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie completed an encouraging start to his tenure, with his side producing an improved display following home victories against France and Italy. Next up is a tour of South Africa, where they will play four Tests against the world champions.
Patrick Tuipulotu scored New Zealand’s opening try, bursting onto a short pass from fellow lock Josh Lord. Captain Ardie Savea doubled New Zealand’s lead to 14-0 when he stormed straight across from the back of a scrum, carrying two defenders with him.
The hosts were reduced to fourteen men for ten minutes when flanker Luke Jacobson was shown a yellow card after a dangerous ruck cleanout made contact with the head of Josh van der Flier. Ireland capitalised when back-row forward Jack Conan powered over from close range.
Any threat of a fightback was extinguished minutes later when Will Jordan swooped on a spilled pass, giving the All Blacks wing his sixth try in three Tests. Replacement hooker Asafo Aumua’s try on the stroke of half-time all-but consigned Ireland to a fourth straight loss to New Zealand.
Impressive Ireland lock Joe McCarthy opened the scoring in a more even second half before New Zealand fullback Damian McKenzie responded to maintain a 21-point advantage. Hugo Keenan crossed in the corner with nearly twenty minutes still to play, but Ireland struggled to create more attacking chances.
New Zealand replacement back Anton Lienert-Brown had the final say with a try in the corner.
AFP
