All Blacks Dominate Ireland at Eden Park

Unconvincing Irish Resistance

New Zealand routed Ireland 40‑21 at Eden Park, scoring six tries to preserve a 32‑year unbeaten run and stretch their home dominance to 53 Tests. The All Blacks’ bonus‑point win was built on swift ball‑handling and relentless pressure, while the visitors struggled to match the host’s intensity. Damage was done early as James Ryan’s turnover gifted Patrick Tuipulotu the opening score, and the New Zealanders never looked back.

Ireland managed a lone first‑half strike through Jack Conan after Luke Jacobson’s dangerous clearout on Josh van der Flier merited a yellow card. The Irish skipper’s sin‑bin left a gap that the All Blacks exploited, with Ardie Savea, Will Jordan and Asafo Aumua all crossing before the break. Damian McKenzie’s clever finish and Hugo Keenan’s late corner try kept the Irish hope alive, but Anton Lienert‑Brown’s final‑minute effort sealed a commanding victory.

“Very proud of the men turning up here tonight and putting in a performance like that,” said captain Ardie Savea. “We talked about throwing the first punch, and you know we got a lead in the first five minutes, so that was a start. You’ve got to give credit to the Irish, they’re real quality. But we’re stoked to get the win.”

Key Stats and Quotes

The match highlighted New Zealand’s depth, with tries from Tuipulotu, Savea, Jordan, Aumua, McKenzie and Lienert‑Brown. Damien McKenzie’s conversion rhythm was perfect, landing five of five kicks, while Ireland’s Prendergast managed three. Will Jordan now boasts 51 tries in 57 Tests and six in seven fixtures against Ireland.

After their first loss since the Six Nations opener to France, Ireland’s skipper Dan Sheehan admitted, “The All Blacks are a classy outfit, and they’ll punish you if you’re not on your A‑game, and at times we weren’t.” The Irish will next face Argentina, Fiji and world‑champions South Africa in the northern‑hemisphere leg of the Nations Championship.

Match Details

Head coach Andy Farrell lamented an error‑riddled opening 40 minutes that left his side chasing a slick All Blacks unit. New Zealand will approach the upcoming four‑Test series against South Africa with confidence after securing a maximum 15 points from three home fixtures.

Below are the line‑ups and match officials:

• New Zealand: McKenzie; Jordan, Tupaea, J Barrett, Moorby; Love, Roigard; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, Lord, Tuipulotu, Vaa’i, Jacobson, Savea (capt). Replacements: Aumua, Numia, Newell, Segner, Lakai, Ratima, Lienert‑Brown, Clarke.
• Ireland: Keenan; Baloucoune, Ringrose, McCloskey, J O’Brien; Prendergast, Gibson‑Park; O’Toole, Sheehan (capt), Furlong, McCarthy, Ryan, Beirne, Van der Flier, Conan. Replacements: Kelleher, Loughman, Clarkson, Timoney, Jansen, Casey, Frawley, Aki.
• Yellow card: Jacobson (28)
• Officials: Referee Nic Berry (RA); Assistants Luc Ramos & Damon Murphy; TV match official Ben Whitehouse; Foul‑play review officer Andrew Jackson.

The image shows the pivotal moment where Ireland’s errors cost them the contest, a scene they will surely rue.

In the end, the All Blacks’ professionalism and offensive cohesion proved too much for the Irish, setting the tone for the remainder of the Nations Championship and the lead‑up to the World Cup.