The All Blacks have extended their unbeaten record at Eden Park to 53 tests after routing Ireland 40-21 in front of more than 48,000 fans in Auckland.
The hosts haven’t lost at the ground since 1994 and are now three wins from three under new coach Dave Rennie.
It was a tense start to the match, with both teams having periods on attack, but it was the All Blacks who were the most enterprising and they were rewarded with the first try, with lock Patrick Tuipulotu scoring near the posts after several phases.
Patrick Tuipulotu celebrates scoring the opening try of the game.
Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
The try was converted by first-five Ruben Love to make it 7-0 to the hosts after 15 minutes.
The All Blacks started to control most of the possession and scored again in the 22nd minute, with captain Ardie Savea barging over from the base of the scrum after another period of sustained attack.
Love nailed the extras to put the All Blacks ahead 14-nil midway through the first half.
Ardie Savea charges through the Irish defence for a try.
Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
The All Blacks were soon peppering Ireland’s tryline again, but lost their momentum when openside flanker Luke Jacobson was yellow carded for a reckless cleanout.
Ireland took advantage to score their first try, with No.8 Jack Conan going over from close range.
The conversion was successful as the visitors cut the All Blacks lead to seven points nearing the end of the first half, but the All Blacks hit back almost immediately, with wing Will Jordan pouncing on a loose Irish pass inside their 22 to score his 51st test try – a week after becoming New Zealand’s all-time leading try scorer.
That extended the All Blacks’ advantage to 21-7 and they weren’t finished scoring in the first half, with replacement hooker Asafo Aumua burrowing over at the base of the posts to record the hosts’ fourth try.
Love kicked the extras and gave New Zealand a 28-7 lead at half-time.
All Blacks hooker Asafo Aumua scores next to the posts.
Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Ireland must have been given a rev up at half-time, as they were the first to score in the second half, with lock Joe McCarthy crashing over after several minutes attacking the All Blacks’ tryline. The try was converted, cutting New Zealand’s lead to 26-14 early in the second stanza.
The game tightened up for a period with both sides defending well, before the All Blacks strung some good phases together and stretched the Irish defence, leading to fullback Damian McKenzie diving over from the base of a ruck for the easiest of tries.
The conversion was successful, with the All Blacks ahead 35-14 at about 22 minutes remaining.
At this point 21 points down, Ireland could have been forgiven for fading but they were the next to score after sustained pressure in the All Blacks’ 22, with fullback Hugo Keenan going in unopposed in the left corner to cut the All Blacks advantage to 35-21.
The hosts though weren’t about to allow a comeback, and replacement midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown scored out wide to put the result beyond doubt. Final score 40-21 to the All Blacks, who next face a four test series against the World Champion Springboks starting next month.
5. Patrick Tuipulotu (56)
8. Ardie Savea (108) (Captain)
15. Damian McKenzie (76)
22. Anton Lienert-Brown (89)
Unavailable due to injury: Fehi Fineanganofo (shoulder); Leroy Carter (shoulder)
