- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
New Zealand gave Graham Henry his 100th victory as a Test match coach with a 38-18 win over Ireland at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.
All Blacks playmaker Dan Carter landed seven goalkicks from eight, only missing with the final touch of the game, for a match haul of 18 points that left him just two shy of England star Jonny Wilkinson’s world record of 1,178 points ahead of next week’s tour finale against Wales in Cardiff.
But a win that stretched New Zealand’s unbeaten record against Ireland to 23 victories in 24 Tests, with one draw, was anything but straightforward.
The All Blacks were 19-13 ahead at half-time but with Ireland still very much involved in an engrossing match.
But two converted tries early in the second period, from No 8 Kieran Read and replacement forward Samuel Whitelock, took New Zealand into a 20-point lead at 33-13.
That left Ireland with too much to do, despite a bold flourish in the final quarter and in the final minute Read’s second try set the seal on a remarkable achievement for Henry, who has now won 77 Tests with the All Blacks, 22 with Wales and one with the British and Irish Lions.
Carter, having succeeded with all seven of his previous goalkicks, was then narrowly off-target. It was a rare error in yet another masterful display.
This result also kept New Zealand on course for a third ‘grand slam’ in five years ahead of next week’s tour finale against Wales in Cardiff.
And it meant both captain Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina could celebrate a 93rd Test appearance that saw them both become the most-capped All Blacks of all-time, breaking former New Zealand captain Sean Fitzpatrick’s record, with a hard-fought success.
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.