Ireland outclassed by New Zealand in Auckland

By Edward Elliot, Press Association

Ireland suffered a crushing 40-21 defeat as New Zealand stretched their remarkable unbeaten run at Eden Park to 53 Test matches in round three of the inaugural Nations Championship.

Following unconvincing bonus-point wins over Australia and Japan, Andy Farrell’s side were bidding to complete a clean sweep of the Southern Hemisphere series.

But they were outclassed on a punishing evening in Auckland as first-half tries from Patrick Tuipulotu, Ardie Savea, Will Jordan and Asafo Aumua put the All Blacks in control.

Jack Conan claimed Ireland’s only score of the opening period after New Zealand flanker Luke Jacobson escaped with just a yellow card for a dangerous clearout on Josh van der Flier, while Joe McCarthy and Hugo Keenan went over in the second half.

Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown added further scores for New Zealand and fly-half Ruben Love kicked five conversions as they maintained their perfect start to the competition following victories over France and Italy.

Ireland were back on New Zealand soil for the first time since their historic 2-1 tour success in 2022.

Farrell’s men, who were beaten 42-19 at Eden Park during that series, fell behind in the 15th minute when All Blacks lock Tuipulotu broke clear to cross.

Having already lost Jimmy O’Brien for a head injury assessment, Ireland then saw his replacement Ciaran Frawley depart with a bloodied head following a collision with team-mate Keenan.

The visitors were swiftly facing an uphill task after number eight Savea exploited a gap to claim New Zealand’s second try in the 22nd minute.

Tuipulotu was held up on the line before New Zealand’s momentum was checked by Jacobson being sent to the sin bin, with the back-rower arguably fortunate not to receive a harsher punishment.

Ireland capitalised on their temporary numerical advantage when number eight Conan crashed over and Sam Prendergast converted.

But, having finally established a foothold in the contest, a breakdown in communication from the error-strewn tourists gifted Jordan his sixth try of the competition as New Zealand immediately reasserted their dominance.

The All Blacks led 28-7 at the break after replacement hooker Aumua bulldozed over to secure the bonus point.

Ireland returned fired up for the second half and cut the deficit when lock McCarthy powered over underneath the posts and fly-half Prendergast added the extras.

Full-back McKenzie dived over at the other end to claim New Zealand’s fifth try before Prendergast nailed a tricky touchline conversion after teeing up Keenan to put the away team in touching distance of a losing bonus point.

However, Ireland were well beaten and Lienert-Brown compounded their misery late on as New Zealand registered a fourth consecutive success in the fixture to extend their phenomenal record at Eden Park.