New Zealand unfurled a commanding first-half performance to beat Ireland 40-21 in a bruising Test 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 could not add to this month’s Nations Championship wins over the Wallabies and Japan in Australia.
Dave Rennie completed an encouraging start to his tenure as All Blacks coach, with his side producing an improved display following home wins 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 on to a short pass from hiis fellow lock Josh Lord. Ardie Savea, the captain, 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 14 men for 10 minutes when the 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 the back-row 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. The replacement hooker Asafo Aumua’s try on the stroke of half-time all-but consigned Ireland to a fourth straight loss to New Zealand.
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The impressive Ireland lock Joe McCarthy opened the scoring in a more even second half before the New Zealand full-back Damian McKenzie responded to restore a 21-point advantage.
Hugo Keenan crossed in the corner with nearly 20 minutes still to play but Ireland struggled to create more attacking chances and the New Zealand replacement back Anton Lienert-Brown had the final say with a try in the corner.
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