Match Report: All Blacks vs Ireland | Nations Championship
New Zealand finished the first half of the Nations Championship unbeaten when inflicting a 40-21 loss on Ireland to maintain a record of 53 games unbeaten at Eden Park on Saturday.
Catch up on all the key stats & scores from the game in the Official All Blacks vs Ireland Match Centre.
Continuing the growth of the fast game through their backline, the All Blacks extended Ireland throughout the first half, but, initially, it was forward power that wore the visitors down.
The All Blacks were helped by far too many unforced errors conceded by Ireland, especially when they created potential points-scoring chances.
When replacement centre Anton Lienert-Brown finished off with the last try a minute from the end, it signalled the end of a rich era between the two sides, after Ireland claimed their first victory over the All Blacks at Chicago in 2016.
But with changing personnel on both sides, it has been five games, at home, away, and at neutral venues, since Ireland has won.
Ireland was not without initiative, especially in early lineout variations, but the penalties conceded, especially hard on defence, gave the All Blacks opportunities they were not slow to utilise.
All Blacks locks unite for first try
It was when the All Blacks got a chance in Ireland’s 22m area that the first points were scored after 14 minutes. From a ruck, lock Josh Lord, who was prominent in early play, fed his partner Patrick Tuipulotu into a gap that he took to mark his return to Test rugby with a try.
Under more defensive pressure, Ireland twice conceded penalties in their 22, and when a five-metre scrum option was taken from one by the All Blacks, captain Ardie Savea made speed off the back of the scrum to leave the Ireland defence spread-eagled after 21 minutes.
As Ireland mounted a promising move, All Blacks wing Josh Moorby pulled in a high Irish pass to reclaim the ball. But in the bid to clear the ball quickly out from Ireland’s line, flanker Luke Jacobson went low to clear a ruck only to hit marker Josh van der Flier in the head, resulting in a 27th-minute yellow card.
Ireland created chances but twice had passes go directly to touch. But, finally, from a lineout out from the All Blacks line, they worked their way across the field and as the ball came back, halfback Jamison Gibson-Park fed hard-working No8 Jack Conan across for Ireland’s first try.
Post-try mistake costly for Ireland
Encouraging as that was for Ireland, after 32 minutes, it was immediately undone when a no-look pass between forwards saw the no-look pass exposed as the ball went to ground. All Blacks wing Will Jordan was on the scene to pick the ball up and score another try, two minutes after Ireland.
Ireland went back onto attack, but the ball was dropped and cleared to space behind by the All Blacks. That allowed first five-eighths Ruben Love all the time in the world to find space in Ireland’s 22m area to claim a 50:22. In the resulting play, which saw advantage applied after Ireland collapsed a maul two minutes from half-time. Play continued with Ardie Savea charging closer to the line and then replacement hooker Asafo Aumua benefited by getting the ball down on the line to give the All Blacks a 28-7 half-time lead.
Ireland made the start their situation required in the second half with some strong running after a lineout, resulting in lock Joe McCarthy crossing in the 44th minute.
Yet another penalty conceded by Ireland allowed the All Blacks to extend their lead after a lineout in Ireland’s 22m area. Halfback Cam Roigard and Love had dabs at the line before a longer ball was cleared for fullback Damian McKenzie to score.
Tupaea so close to intercept
Ireland scored a third try after centre Quinn Tupaea was ruled to have knocked on an intercept attempt from which Ireland first five-eighths Sam Prendergast kicked to the corner where Ireland launched a series of assaults at the All Blacks’ line before fullback Hugo Keenan scored in the corner when the ball was finally released to the backs. It was unfortunate for Tupaea, one of the literal driving forces in the All Blacks backline, constantly taking the ball to the Ireland defence.
Match Score Sheet
New Zealand 40 (Patrick Tuipulotu, Ardie Savea, Will Jordan, Asafo Aumua, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown tries; Ruben Love 5 con) Ireland 21 (Jack Conan, Joe McCarthy, Hugo Keenan tries; Sam Prendergast 3 con). HT: 28-7
MINI MATCH: All Blacks vs Ireland | Nations Championship 2026 | Eden Park, Auckland
Fortress Eden Park. The All Blacks defend an unbeaten streak stretching over three decades as Ireland come to Auckland for a huge Nations Championship battle.
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