IRELAND'S POOR record in New Zealand continued this morning after Andy Farrell's side were shown a lesson in a defeat in Auckland.
Four tries from Jordie Barrett, Sevu Reece, a double from Ardie Savea, and a debut score from Sowakula capped off a brilliant game for the three-time world champions.
Scores from Gary Ringrose Keith Earls, Bundee Aki added more respectability to the score line, but the score was nothing more than consolations for the visitors
Ireland had never beaten New Zealand in Eden Park, and New Zealand's last defeat cam way back in 1994, so the task ahead of Ireland was a huge one.
Ireland could take solace from the fact that that they had beaten the three-time world champions three times since 2016.
10 of the side that beat Ian Fosters side in the Autumn November Series started the game in Auckland.
Here’s how they got on
First half
Ireland got off to an excellent start within the opening five minutes when good played from Sexton, Ringrose and Keenan, ended with Keith Earls squaring up Jordie Barrett over the All-Blacks gain line. The Munster man touched down to give Ireland an early lead. Sexton missed the conversation.
𝙄𝙍𝙀𝙇𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙏𝙍𝙔! What a score! 🇮🇪 🏉 — Sky Sports (@SkySports) July 2, 2022
Keith Earls gives his side an early lead! Sexton's conversion is struck wide. #NZvIREpic.twitter.com/bBr2KKm6dc
New Zealand do what New Zealand do and would level the scores at around the 20-minute mark. Leicester Fainga’anuku found himself in space on the left, near Ireland's line but was held up. Aaron Smith took matters into his own hands and found Jordie Barrett, who charged over to level the game. Beauden Barrett converted.
The All Blacks would get another, when a loose pass from Gary Ringrose was intercepted by Sevu Reece. He sprinted almost the entire length of the field to score under the posts with Peter O’Mahony in chase. Beauden Barrett converted again to make it 14-5 .
"Here goes Sevu Reece...they 𝙒𝙊𝙉'𝙏 catch him!" | 𝙉𝙀𝙒 𝙕𝙀𝘼𝙇𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙏𝙍𝙔! 🇳🇿 — Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 2, 2022
Jordie Barrett converts and the All Blacks extend their lead to 14-5! 🏉 #NZvIRE pic.twitter.com/ec8oRN5gPU
Things would go from bad to worse for Ireland, when Johnny Sexton was taken off for Joey Carbery. It would get even worse when New Zealand would score their third try in 35 minutes soon after.
Ireland lost the ball in their own 22 following a strong New Zealand counter-ruck. A grubber is stuck in behind by Beauden Barrett and Tupaea collected unopposed to score.
New Zealand in full flow is a remarkable sight and unfortunately for Andy Farrell's side they were on the end of the it. A fourth try in 40 minutes.
Smith spotted a gap and cuts straight through. The New Zealand nine beat Keith Earls to the ball. The ball managed to reach Ardie Savea, who touched down. A TMO checked to see if Smith knocked it on, but that wasn't the case, and they try stood.
Ireland went into the break four tries down, losing 28-5.
Second half
Ireland clearly came out in the second half with the boot in their backside from Andy Farrell and were rewarded early on with an early try from Gary Ringrose.Van der Flier was stopped just short near the. He found his Leinster teammate and with that Ireland had a small lifeline Carbery with his first kick converted to make it 28-12.
That lifeline disappeared minutes later, when Ardie Savea powered through four Irish players to make it 33-12. Barrett did the honours with the kick.
𝙄𝙍𝙀𝙇𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙏𝙍𝙔! Ringrose in the corner! 🇮🇪 🏉 — Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 2, 2022
As Sexton is unable to continue, that's exactly what they needed after HT! Carbery converts and it's now 28-12! #NZvIRE pic.twitter.com/hWDqBApKmg
Ireland to their credit refused to lay down and die despite the score and nature of the opponents. Carbery got the ball down for a third try, but it was believed he had no control off the ball. The TMO had a look. The result no try.
Ireland would tap-and-go straight after. Van der Flier crashed over. It was considered by the ref that he dropped it. New Zealand got away it.
The game would not see another score until the 70th minute until New Zealand debutant and former basketballer Sowakula picked from the base on his Test debut. He crashed over with ease. The score stood at 42-12.
Ireland's third try came when Connacht centre Bundee Aki bundled over.
The try put a little bit more respect on the score line at 42-19, but overall New Zealand were a class apart on the day and that should surprise nobody, including the most casual of rugby fan.
Ireland will now look to lick their wounds and go again next Saturday 9 July, 8.05am at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin in the second test against the All Blacks.
FULL TIME | A tough night in Auckland but we go again next week.#TeamOfUs | #NZvIRE pic.twitter.com/n7QGoN6RXe
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 2, 2022
Starting teams and subs
Ireland – H Keenan; K Earls G Ringrose, R Henshaw, J Lowe; J Sexton (capt), J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, T Furlong; T Beirne, J Ryan; P O'Mahony, J van der Flier, C Doris.
Reps: D Heffernan, F Bealham, C Healy, K Treadwell, J Conan, C Murray, J Carbery, B Aki.
New Zealand - J Barrett; S Reece, R Ioane, Q Tupaea, L Fainga’anuku; B Barrett, A Smith; G Bower, C Taylor, O Tu’ungafasi, B Retallick, S Whitelock, S Barrett, S Cane (capt), A Savea.
