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New Zealand overcame an error-prone first half to defeat Ireland 22-3 on Saturday and maintain their 22-match unbeaten run against the hosts.
The All Blacks took a decisive 10-3 lead in the final move of the first half at Dublin’s Croke Park. A penalty try was awarded against Tommy Bowe for slapping the ball into touch just as Richie McCaw appeared ready to score.
Before that, an unusually shaky Dan Carter had converted just one out of three penalty kicks, while Ronan O’Gara nailed his only attempt – a stunning 45-metre shot in the 38th minute — to make it 3-3.
But tries by Ma’a Nonu and Brad Thorn in the 48th and 53rd minutes put the result beyond reach of the Irish, who lacked attacking bite and who have failed to beat New Zealand since 1905.
Ireland tried to maintain a dogged, stingy defence throughout the game and succeeded in the first half, as the All Blacks self-destructed with penalties and bobbled passes.
New Zealand lock Ali Williams, who was man of the match, said Ireland’s defenders and the crowd noise both played a part in throwing the All Blacks off balance in the first half.
“They attacked us from everywhere, and we had to be at our best to come away with that victory,” Williams said.
“It was very noisy. I couldn’t hear myself think.”
But the Irish proved even sloppier, shanking kicks and losing lineouts, and never came close to scoring a try.
“We never managed to get a foothold in their half. There’s a lot of things we could do that we didn’t get done today,” said Declan Kidney, who took charge of Ireland this year after leading provincial side Munster to a Heineken Cup victory.
“We give credit to New Zealand for the pressure they put us under,” Kidney said.
“But in the first 30 minutes we allowed a lot of our own energy to be soaked up. We spent too much time in our own half. The foundation was laid in the first 30 minutes.”
O’Gara was given only one other chance to score with his foot, when All Blacks prop Tony Woodcook was sent off for punching Rory Best in the face. But O’Gara’s 50-metre attempt from the midway line hooked low and left in the 43rd minute.
A faster, stronger New Zealand neutralized Ireland’s most dangerous player, centre Brian O’Driscoll, who was captaining his team for the 50th time. And Ireland was further handicapped when lock Paul O’Connell limped through much of the second half.
O’Connell’s leg injury paved the way for the try by Nonu, who sprinted easily through a big gap between O’Connell and flat-footed prop John Hayes.
Five minutes later, Thorn collected a long pass from Josevata Rokocoko and steamrollered Bowe for a try.
The final 20 minutes were lacklustre and filled with turnovers, silencing the once-raucous crowd in Croke Park. It has been temporarily hosting Ireland’s national rugby and football teams during the building of a new Lansdowne Road stadium.
New Zealand next faces Wales and England on its northern tour, while Ireland plays Argentina next Saturday.
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.