Patrick Teupolotto, Ardi Savia, Will Jordan, Asafo Oma, Damian McKenzie, and Anton Leinert-Brown scored tries as New Zealand’s All Blacks beat Ireland at Eden Park in the Nations Championship. Ireland scored through Jack Conan and Joe McCarthy and Hugo Cannon but nothing happened.
Last updated: 18/07/26 19:41pm
A ruthless All Blacks display ensured they would end their home block of rugby’s inaugural Nations Championship with three wins from three, after an emphatic 40-21 defeat of Ireland at Eden Park.
With Ireland missing 12 players through injury, their performances were disappointing, with their attacks particularly poor and lacking zip or threat.
Defensively, Andy Farrell’s side also conceded six tries, with lock Patrick Tuipulotu, No. 8 Ardie Savea, wing Will Jordan, hooker Asafo Aumua, full-back Damian McKenzie and substitute Anton Lienert-Brown all crossing for New Zealand, who were lucky not to miss Loco’s card. For a dangerous clear-out.
Ireland scored three tries through No. 8 Jack Conan, lock Joe McCarthy and fullback Hugo Cannon, narrowly trailing 14-7 late in the first half and twice in the second to 14 points, but could not get a fourth score to leave with at least a bonus point.
New Zealand – Tries: Teupolotto (15), Savia (22), Jordan (35), Ouma (39), McKenzie (56), Leinert-Brown (79). Cons: Love (15, 23, 36, 40, 57).
Ireland – Tries: Conan (33), McCarthy (45), Cannon (63). Cons: Prendergast (34, 45, 64).
Instead, Ireland’s mistakes – there were too many in the competition – were preyed upon, resulting in a disappointing end to the visitors’ season.
Dave Rennie’s selection paid off early as the reshuffled Topo Wai made a blistering start, combining with the new second row of Tuipulotu and Josh Lord for the first try on 15 minutes.
A strong carry from Vaa’i down the right tore apart the Ireland defence, and Tuipulotu dropped on the line to thunder past Lord.
Less than 10 minutes later, New Zealand doubled their lead, Savia breaking through a poor Irish defence from near the try line for his second.
The All Blacks’ momentum was halted when loose forward Jacobsen received a yellow card and an off-field review for clearing out Josh van der Flier’s head with a broken arm. Surprisingly, the review did not bring up an upgraded red card for the incident.
Ireland rallied through their forwards and on the line, with a charging Conan crashing over two metres out and scrum-half Jamieson taking a fuzzed pass from Gibson Park at a ruck.
Ireland’s jubilation turned to disappointment two minutes later when Jordan scooped up an errant pass inside the Irish 22 from the restart and cantered over for his sixth try of the season – Stuart McCloskey and Sam Prendergast appeared to cross the wire.
Omua scored four tries for the hosts after a TMO review showed he had put the ball on the chalk near the right post at the end of half-time.
Locke McCarthy provided the spark for Ireland early in the second half, successfully grounding the ball over the line under the posts, thanks to skipper Dan Sheehan’s helpful assist.
Once again, the All Blacks hit back quickly with rapid pace and relentless pressure.
Moving the ball down the left with quick hands, fly-half Ruben Love was stopped a foot from the line but full-back McKenzie scooped up the recycled ball and headed it over.
Ireland again closed to within two converted tries after the hour mark, with Cannon’s cross going unmarked in the left corner following another attack led by the forwards.
The All Blacks had the final answer, though, as an offload from Jordan found Lennart Brown, who finished Ireland off with a sixth try in the final minute.
Farrell lamented Ireland’s ‘mistakes’ and ‘lack of flow’
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell said after the match:
“Wrong word. Our consistency was off; we weren’t flowing for all kinds of reasons, whether it was discipline, throwing the ball, throwing the ball into touch, etc.
“The character and fight is there for all to see, and we saw it against Australia.
“But you can’t make that many mistakes against a quality team like New Zealand.
“When there’s an injury, it’s somebody else’s chance. With what’s coming up in the next 15 months, it’s priceless for us.”
McKenzie: Our most physical test of the summer – great to come away with a hard-fought win
Man of the match Damien McKenzie said after the match:
“A tough Test match. Ireland came out strong, and we knew we had to start well.
We had to get on with our work, and we knew the second half was still going to be a grind. The Irish boys are a tough team.
“We had to work really hard for our points in the second half. It’s a real boost to come away with a hard-fought Test win.
“These tests are more physical every week.”
