The All Blacks have earned their revenge over Ireland, producing a gritty defensive performance to shut out their opponents in a 21-9 win.
Two weeks on from Ireland’s shock win in Chicago, the world champions produced the goods in Dublin despite Ireland’s dominant 67 per cent possession.
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First-half injuries to playmaker Johnny Sexton, gun second-five Robbie Henshaw and enforcer CJ Stander also nullified much of Ireland’s offensive potency.
Smarting after their sub-par showing two weeks ago, the All Blacks roared out of the blocks early, controlling the opening phases and pushing their noses in front.
A third-minute Beauden Barrett cross-field lob found centre Malakai Fekitoa, who skipped around his man on the left edge to notch New Zealand’s first try.
The Hurricanes playmaker returned to the free-flowing running game that netted him World Rugby’s Player of the Year gong.
Barrett made five first-half runs at the Irish line, including a stunning solo effort in the 13th minute to scythe through and nab his side’s second five-pointer.
The try came just moments after an extraordinary last-ditch Barrett tackle on Irish flanker Sean O’Brien, just metres from the line after an Aaron Smith knock-on.
Smith, who had already knocked-on twice and threw several errant passes, was sent to the bin in the 17th minute for repeated infringements.
But, unlike in Chicago, Ireland couldn’t take advantage of their extra man and had only a penalty goal to show for their efforts in the subsequent 10 minutes.
Ahead 14-6 at the break, the second-half started in the worst possible way for New Zealand as Fekitoa earned his own yellow card for a high tackle.
But again the All Blacks held firm, and again conceded only the single Paddy Jackson penalty goal during Fekitoa’s absence.
Coach Steve Hansen used the man disadvantage to shuffle his deck, introducing playmaker Aaron Cruden and shifting Barrett to fullback.
TJ Perenara was also subbed in for Smith, and alongside Barrett played a part in the side’s 66th minute clincher.
Anton Lienert-Brown threw a left-edge offload into the path of Barrett, before the ball made its way to Fekitoa via Perenara for the centre to nab his second.
Ireland, having pushed so hard during their 20-minute stint with an extra man, were deflated by Fekitoa’s effort and the clock eventually ran out on them.
ukkiwi
Guest
I think the penalty count went was unfortunate. Barrett had a blinder but for me man of the match was Brodie Retallick - he was absolutely immense. I thought the AB's plugged the hole behind the ruck and the Irish attacked there, without success, several times in the second half but the AB's were solid where last match they let in two tries. Whitelock also had a great game and the pressure put on the Irish lineout and scrum was awesome. I haven't seen physicality like that from the AB's in a test since the Ellis Park test a couple of years ago when the AB's and SA were effectively playing for the rugby championship. There was huge aggression and it was awesome. I'm used to a biased commentary having grown up with Nisbo, but watching in the UK the two Irish guys were hilarious, They were calling for a red card against Sam Cane when the TMO told Peyper he wrapped his arms and contact was around the shoulders (bizarrely he was Cane was penalised for this) and questioning whether Peyper had a handle on the game - as the words were coming out a replay was shown of Donnacha Ryan performing a 'no arm' clean out of a ruck which Lood deJager was yellow carded for earlier this year.
Bobby Fizzicola
Guest
I thought peyper did have a shocker...It was a poor mistake riddled game though. But sometimes you get that...
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Actually mate, they could go on to a 19 straight run where you rely on Ireland to stop them exceeding not emulating.
cuw
Guest
actually the guy who reffed England - Fiji was even worse. England did not need the ref's helf to win but Fiji were just unfortunately on the end of similar decisions. I also wondered why Jackson did not goto TMO to look at the cleanout nearing halftime by auzzy winger. it was even bizarre he took the word of the left touchie - when the clean out happened on the right side and would have been obscured by the the fallen ruck !!!
Jokerman
Guest
The ref was against the All Blacks. It made it hard to enjoy because it was seemed like 15 on 16 or 14 on 16 for 20 minutes. The ref was pedantic against the All Blacks and loose with the Irish. Two yellows and a penalty count of around 16-4 was just BS. Any other team in the world would lose with that stat. Some of those high tackles were loose but others were around the shoulder, or missed completely and the crowd would just influenced the ref. When Barrett was head highed when he scored - no worries. Ireland also knocked on a lot with "play on" by the ref but when the All Blacks had any 50/50 knock on's they were pulled up. The All Blacks had the dominant scrum but came off worst with penalties there too. My feeling was the ref was biased. You have the rub of the green but then you get this. Reminded me too much of the RWC '15 semi against SA where the same happened, or Barnes '07. Even the touch judge looked like Barnes!! What does that mean?! Barrett won the game for us. Amazing! TJ awesome and the best 9 now. A good win to the All Blacks. I'll take it but next time it needs to be an even game.
Ben
Guest
Baz...still waiting for you to show us at which point Savea "falls like a fairy.." in the Speight no try. I produced the video...wheres your evidence? You stated there were lots of different camera angles showing it. Where are they?? At least we are having a shot at the ref when we win.... You didnt even watch this game did you.
Baz
Guest
Seems like all the kiwis hitting on aussies for complaining about refs are even doing so when they win.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Well said Colm, I was expecting a lot more from the ABs than that but credit to the Irish who simply battled away in key areas to stay in the match. That's certainly the toughest two matches the ABs have had all year and hopefully Ireland can go on to realise a lot more profit from what has become a very good side. For the ABs I'm now into the camp of getting annoyed at the AB infringements on defence and frankly Hansen needs to come up with better defensive strategies than that. I don't know who of England and Ireland are the better side now but they are now 2 and 3 on performances this year, where England have an argument at 1 with the only 100% record this year. They can go on to emulate the AB 2013 year and the 18 match record so we are relying on Ireland tipping them over at Aviva in the last match... I think they will....just?
Colm
Roar Guru
Well done New Zealand, I hope our supporters can be as gracious in defeat as yours were. I said before the matches, that Ireland's forwards would have to dominate, to compensate for the superior skill level and speed of the New Zealand backline. Anton Lienert-Brown has a bright future. The Irish forwards really stood up and the backline let Ireland down. I know there were injuries in the first thirty minutes, but Ireland seriously need to play some of the faster, more powerful backs, if we are to beat New Zealand and the top teams consistently. The Irish back three were unimpressive in both defence and attack. The centres also have to share some of the blame. They rarely looked for the offload, and failed to pull any of the New zealand defenders in during the wrap around moves. Imo, Ireland are two offloading centres, and a quick, powerful back three away from challenging New Zealand consistently. I'd like to see Stuart McCloskey(114kg, powerful, good offloader) start with one of Olding, Henshaw or Marshall, Bundee Aki in the future. We have quick, powerful wingers(Kelleher, Adeolokun, Healy and Sweetnam) but they're not being selected.
Sylvester
Guest
Second one def wasn't a penalty. Ball was out, he came through the middle and kicked it.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Smith was sent to the bin for repeated infringements but there was no infringement. A dumb call by the referee amongst a number of very poor calls.
Bazza Allblack Supporter
Roar Rookie
I am in Gold Coast on a family holiday and could not figure out how to watch so thanks for the coverage. Good to see the all blacks back form but sounds like Irish really coming to party now (Love surfers, wife loved the malls, boy loved all the kids activities)
Ben
Guest
Barrett every bit world player of the year. Outstanding. Impressed with Squire. What a difference Rettalick and Whitelock made. Van de Fleur great for the Irish. We were caned by the ref...14-4. Most legit but some just ridiculous. Arran Smiths penalty and subsequent yellow was rubbish. Read said they just couldnt get any love back from the ref. Hansen "all you want from the ref is consistancy. Thats all i'll say about that". 2 penalties we conceded for taking out the halfback yet deep in the 2nd half close to the touch we get penalised at the breakdown but the ball was there so long cos Smith had been driven back from the base and held and couldnt get to the ball to clear it! Heaslip reaching in to pull the ball out from in front of his locks in the scrum that was reversing. The 2 highshots were just dumb. Some end of season wear and tear definitley showing. I think on form Ireland can and will beat england and aus. What a revelation they are.