New Zealand extended their 103-year unbeaten streak against Ireland when they won 21-11 in torrential rain last night.
More rugby
Springboks overwhelm Wales 43-17
Nasiganiyavi carves up Canada in rout
In their first Test since October’s World Cup quarter-final loss to France, the All Blacks broke out of an 8-8 half-time deadlock to outscore the visitors 13-3 in the second half, improving their record against the Irish to 20 wins and one draw.
Winger Sitiveni Sivivatu, in the first half, and centre Ma’a Nonu, in the second, scored New Zealand’s tries while flyhalf Daniel Carter, who created Nonu’s try, kicked three penalties and a conversion.
Paddy Wallace, who was a late replacement for Luke Fitzgerald at centre for Ireland, scored his team’s only try while flyhalf Ronan O’Gara landed two penalties from four attempts.
In the second half, when New Zealand no longer had to run into wind-driven sleet, the superiority of the All Blacks gradually told. They controlled their frustration at the conditions, which severely limited the scope of the match, and concentrated on seizing a single chance to finish off Ireland as Nonu scored.
“We haven’t played in conditions as bad as that for a while,” captain Richie McCaw said. “It was a tough match but we knew it was going to be like that and a Test win is a Test win.”
The All Blacks entered the match under pressure, seeking to regain the confidence of their supporters after last year’s early exit as World Cup favourites.
Coaches Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith, who were reappointed despite being responsible for New Zealand’s worst-ever Cup performance, needed a win to answer a stream of personal criticism.
The win was not convincing, but the conditions – described by Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll as the coldest in which he had ever played – made an emphatic result impossible and judgement of the team’s form will be reserved until next week when the All Blacks face England.
Ireland stayed with New Zealand for the first three quarters of the match, until the All Blacks’ persistence and discipline gave them a margin of control.
“We were in it for the first 60 minutes but we couldn’t finish it off,” O’Driscoll said. “When they scored their second try we were forced to chase it and you always know when you have to chase it against the All Blacks that they’re going to open you up.”
Ireland took an early lead through a penalty to O’Gara in the eighth minute.
The All Blacks hit back with a superb try to Sivivatu, one of the few bright moments in the match, in the 15th minute. Centre Conrad Smith opened up the Irish defence on the counterattack and he timed his last pass superbly to Sivivatu who pushed off O’Driscoll to score.
Ireland hit back five minutes later with a try to Wallace. Two free kicks close to the goalline stretched the All Blacks and Wallace drove past Sivivatu to score.
Carter kicked a 32nd-minute penalty, his first goal from three attempts, to send the teams to half-time at 8-8.
O’Gara nudged Ireland ahead with a penalty in the second minute of the second half but Carter tied the score two minutes later. A further Carter penalty gave the All Blacks their first lead in more than 30 minutes, then Nonu’s converted try completed the scoring.
Scores:
New Zealand 21 (Sitiveni Sivivatu, Ma’a Nonu tries; Daniel Carter conversion, 3 penalties), Ireland 11 (Paddy Wallace try; Ronan O’Gara 2 penalties). HT, 8-8.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
The Reds are the real deal. Les Kiss’ side have now played all five Kiwi sides, beating three and pushing both the Hurricanes and…
The Western Force have landed a blow on their Australian rivals the Brumbies, luring Test second-rower Darcy Swain away from the nation’s capital. The…
The Waratahs’ hopes of making a late season surge to make the top eight have copped a blow, with hooker Julian Heaven the latest…
Josh van der Flier would have been checking his ribs after the massive hit from Curtis Langdon.
The Australian women's Sevens team have fallen just short of being crowned regular-season champions, losing 31-21 to New Zealand in the Singapore Sevens final.…
It was a difficult weekend for Hall and Oates fans, with news coming through of the duo’s official split. Never mind that their last…
