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New Zealand ran in six tries to beat Ireland 40-21 at Eden Park, a result that keeps the hosts unbeaten in the Nations Championship and preserves their formidable record at Eden Park. Ireland, who came in after wins over Australia and Japan, were second best for long spells and paid heavily for a costly spell before half-time.
New Zealand ran in six tries to beat Ireland 40-21 at Eden Park, a result that keeps the hosts unbeaten in the Nations Championship and preserves their formidable record at Eden Park. Ireland, who came in after wins over Australia and Japan, were second best for long spells and paid heavily for a costly spell before half-time.
P. Tuipulotu (14'), A. Savea (21'), W. Jordan (34'), A. Aumua (38'), D. McKenzie (55'), A. Lienert-Brown (78')
Tries
J. Conan (32'), J. McCarthy (44'), H. Keenan (62')
R. Love (14', 22', 35', 39', 56')
Conversions
S. Prendergast (33', 44', 63')
This was a tough evening for Ireland, though not one entirely without positives. They scored three tries and kept competing, but the bulk of the damage had been done by the interval and a 21-point deficit proved too much to reel in.
New Zealand set the tone early. Patrick Tuipulotu crashed over on 14 minutes, Ruben Love converted, and the hosts quickly tightened their grip. Ardie Savea added the second on 21 minutes coming off the back of the scrum and unstoppable even with 3 Irish defenders trying to hold him up, and even a yellow card for Luke Jacobson on 27 minutes did little to halt the momentum. The yellow remained a yellow albeit at first looked like Jacobson was in trouble as he flew in recklessly into a ruck colliding with Josh van der Flier.
Ireland did respond. Jack Conan forced his way over on 32 minutes, with Sam Prendergast converting, and briefly the visitors had a foothold at 14-7. But New Zealand's answer was immediate and decisive. Will Jordan struck on 34 minutes with Ireland trying to run it out just 15 metres from their own line, the ball not going to hand and the easiest of pick ups for the prolific try scorer. And, with Jacobson still in the bin, replacement hooker Asafo Aumua barged over on 38 minutes. Two late first-half tries turned a contest into a commanding 28-7 lead at the break.
That stretch before half-time was where the match was won. Ireland had worked their way back into it, only to concede twice in six minutes and head in facing a mountain.
Joe McCarthy gave Ireland a lift early in the second half, scoring on 44 minutes after another industrious display, and Prendergast's conversion cut it to 28-14. But Damian McKenzie restored New Zealand's control on 55 minutes, finishing a sharp attack with a try of his own. Love converted, and at 35-14 the game was effectively beyond Ireland.
Hugo Keenan gave the scoreline a more respectable look with a try on 62 minutes, but Anton Lienert-Brown had the final word from the bench, crossing on 78 minutes to complete a six-try haul.
Damian McKenzie was the outstanding attacking threat on the pitch. The full-back made 60 metres from 15 carries, beat eight defenders and scored in the second half. Whenever he found space, Ireland struggled to contain him.
Alongside him, Will Jordan caused problems throughout, making 53 metres and scoring, while Quinn Tupaea did the hard yards in midfield with 16 carries for 40 metres. Ardie Savea led from the front with a try and 16 tackles.
Damian McKenzie – 60 metres, 8 defenders beaten, one try
Will Jordan – 53 metres, one clean break, one try
Ardie Savea – 16 tackles, 10 carries, one try
Joe McCarthy (Ireland) – 22 tackles, 14 carries for 40 metres, one try
CARRIES
CLEAN BREAK
DEFENDER BEATEN
TACKLE
MISSED TACKLE
TURNOVER WON
TURNOVERS CONCEDED
PENALTY CONCEDED
YELLOW CARD
Possession
Scrums
Lineouts
The numbers underline how much pressure they were under. Ireland made 215 tackles to New Zealand's 161, which says less about defensive control than time spent without the ball. They also missed 32 tackles to the hosts' 15 and conceded 15 turnovers against New Zealand's eight. Against a side carrying with this much intent, that was always likely to prove costly.
There were still positives. Joe McCarthy was excellent in both attack and defence, Hugo Keenan was Ireland's most dangerous runner with 83 metres from seven carries, and Jack Conan put in an enormous shift with 18 tackles and a try. The lineout also functioned well at 11 from 11. But the effort was undermined by too many missed tackles and too much loose ball.
This was Ireland's first defeat of the campaign after wins over Australia and Japan, while New Zealand made it three straight wins over Ireland in their most recent meetings listed in the supplied match data.What it means next
This now end’s Ireland’s long season with many of the players going all the way through from the British and Irish Lions tour, whilst New Zealand now look towards The Greatest Rivalry Tour of South Africa.
