New Zealand pummel Ireland to extend Eden Park Record
MATCH REPORT: New Zealand extended their unbeaten run at Eden Park to 53 matches following a convincing 40-21 win in Round Three of the Nations Championship.
New Zealand were ruthless and, for the most part, clinical on attack to outscore Andy Farrell’s men by six tries to two.
The result sees Ireland losing their unbeaten run in the tournament, whilst New Zealand made it three wins from as many games.
Ireland created several scoring opportunities, but poor handling and execution proved to be their downfall on the day.
Ireland missed 22 first-half tackles, which ultimately contributed to New Zealand’s big lead at the break.
*To recap all the action, CLICK HERE!
The All Blacks kept the pressure on from the outset and were rewarded for their patience through Patrick Tuipulotu, who crossed the line in the 14th minute. Ruben Love added the extras.
The pressure kept mounting as Ardie Savea crossed the line in the 21st minute after picking the ball up from the back of a five-metre attacking scrum and forcing his way over the line. Love’s conversion made it 14-0 to New Zealand.
New Zealand were hot on the attack in Ireland’s red zone, but it became all undone as Luke Jacobson was sent to the sinbin for a dangerous cleanout at the breakdown on Josh van der Flier in the 27th minute.
Ill-discipline from the All Blacks gifted Ireland free territory, which they made good use of as they responded through Jack Conan in the 33rd minute. Sam Prendergast’s conversion made it a seven-point game.
Sloppy work from Ireland inside their 22-metre area saw a loose pass out the back being scooped up by Will Jordan, who scored his 51st try in an All Black jersey in the 35th minute. Love’s conversion restored the 14-point lead.
Love nailed a 50/22 after Robert Baloucoune knocked it on, which proved to be a costly error.
The All Blacks returned to their full complement as Jacobson made his return to the field.
Replacement hooker Asafo Aumua dotted the ball down next to the posts in the 38th minute for the bonus-point try, leaving Ireland with a mountain to climb. Love’s radar remained on point as he slotted the conversion.
Ireland had one last shot in the first half with a line-out seven metres from New Zealand’s line and opted for the rolling maul, but conceded a penalty for holding on as Jacobson made up for his earlier indiscretion by winning the battle at the breakdown.
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Ireland responded in the 44th minute through Joe McCarthy from close range as Prendergast made it a 14-point game once more following his conversion kick.
New Zealand won a penalty as Ireland were deemed to be offside inside their red zone and opted for the five-metre line-out.
The All Blacks launched an attack and got over the line through Damian McKenzie in the 55th minute to extend their lead as Love converted the try to make it 35-14.
Ireland got one back through Hugo Keenan after winning territory with a penalty for a deliberate knock-on by Quinn Tupaea. Prendergast brought it back to a 14-point game with 18 minutes to go following his conversion kick.
Anton Leinert-Brown’s 78th-minute score put the final nail in the coffin and sealed the deal for the All Blacks.
Player of the match: Ruben Love’s kept his team on the front foot on attack and seems like the real deal to lock in the All Black No.10 jersey for the foreseeable future. He nailed all his conversion kicks and showed real maturity in his young Test career.
Scorers:
For New Zealand:
Tries: Tuipulotu, Savea, Jordan, Aumua, McKenzie, Lienert-Brown
Cons: Love 5
For Ireland:
Tries: Conan. McCarthy, Keenan
Cons: Prendergast 3
Yellow card: Luke Jacobson (New Zealand, 27′ – Dangerous play: illegal cleanout)
Teams:
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Anton Segner, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Caleb Clarke
Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jimmy O’Brien, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Tadgh Beirne, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan (captain), 1 Tom O’Toole.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Jeremy Loughman, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Nick Timoney, 20 Sean Jansen, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Bundee Aki.
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: Luc Ramos (France), Damon Murphy (Australia)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
