All Blacks silence critics with emphatic season-opening win over Ireland
The All Blacks have silenced their critics and banished the ghosts of last year by recording a resounding victory over Ireland to open their test campaign.
Under a barrage of pressure from fans and pundits alike to deliver a performance that could put last season’s underwhelming effort to rest, the All Blacks lived up to – and perhaps even surpassed – expectation in their emphatic 42-19 win.
In front of a boisterous Eden Park crowd of 48,195, the Kiwis shrugged off any doubts that may have lingered to cap off a disrupted week that was plagued by Covid and external scepticism in the best way possible.
They did so by producing a physical masterclass in which they outmuscled the Irish in a display that couldn’t be further removed from their 29-20 defeat against the same opposition in Dublin eight months ago.
Instead of being continually beaten to the punch at the breakdown and in the collision zone, the All Blacks threw the knockout blow as they convincingly dispelled the supposed notion floated by one British outlet that they are in “terminal decline”.
In fact, based on what transpired in Auckland, it could easily be suggested that the All Blacks may be back on the upward trajectory given the overwhelming nature in which they stunned a team regarded by most as one of the world’s best.
That’s how impressively the All Blacks dispatched Ireland in a result that bodes for the Kiwis as they enter the next fortnight of tests between against the Irish in Dunedin and Wellington.
It took some time for the hosts to get going, though, as veteran Ireland wing Keith Earls opened the scoring in a matter of minutes on the back of continuous gain line breaches from his side’s forward pack.
The building blocks that laid the foundation for that try to be scored was indicative of the physical intent Ireland were willing to play with from the outset.
Andy Farrell’s men made it known that they were unafraid – even happy – to crash and bash into their opponents on both sides of the ball, a familiar mindset that powered them to victory last November.
However, unlike last year’s meeting at Aviva Stadium, it wasn’t a mindset the tourists were able to sustain as the All Blacks proved they were capable of footing it with – and exceeding – the Irish from a physicality standpoint.
That was exemplified when imposing fullback Jordie Barrett burst through a couple of tacklers to equalise for the Kiwis.
Earlier in the sequence of play, Reece had used his small yet burly frame to cast Ireland halfback Jamison Gibson-Park aside with ease before some ball-playing finesse from Sam Whitelock enabled debutant wing Leicester Fainga’anuku to put Barrett in a position to strike from.
More positively for All Blacks boss Ian Foster, it wasn’t solely on attack where his side began to flourish in the rough stuff.
Defensively, their bruising and suffocating approach to the game thwarted Ireland’s plan to build another sequence of phases inside New Zealand’s half from the ensuing restart.
The direct result of that was a try to Reece, who scooped up the loose pill to canter 80 metres down the park after some strong defensive pressure yielded some faulty interlinking play between Garry Ringrose and James Lowe.
Most significantly from that passage of play for the Irish, though, was the injury sustained by star first-five Johnny Sexton.
Prematurely forced from the field with about 10 minutes to play in the first half, Ireland’s confidence and ability to play as a cohesive unit collapsed without the 2018 World Rugby Player of the Year on the park.
That of the All Blacks, meanwhile, grew tremendously, and that was made crystal-clear when they struck twice more before half-time.
Young second-five Quinn Tupaea was the next to score as he reaped the rewards of Barrett’s visionary grubber kick that was only made possible thanks to the uncompromising breakdown work of his forwards to win possession back inside Ireland’s 22.
Moments later, Ardie Savea closed out a dominant end to the first half by pouncing on the open ball inside Ireland’s in-goal area after Smith put Ireland on the back foot by skirting past a breakdown and chipping the ball ahead of cover defender Earls.
Down 28-5 at the break, Ireland needed to score first in the second half, and that they did when they were gift-wrapped possession and territory via a couple of All Blacks infringements in the opening few minutes.
Ringrose didn’t need a second invitation to dot down in the left-hand corner when the space was afforded to him, but any cause for Irish celebration was quickly watered down when Savea ripped through an array of green jerseys to grab a brace of tries.
Hope of a potential Irish comeback was eliminated twice in quick succession by the television match official, who ruled that both Joey Carbery and Josh van der Flier coughed the ball up in the act of scoring not long after Savea’s second try.
The introduction of New Zealand’s bench players only added to Ireland’s woes, with debutant loose forward Pita Gus Sowakula the standout of the All Blacks reserves.
Powering over for a try from the back of a scrum from close range – a sight often seen throughout the course of Super Rugby Pacific – Sowakula also illustrated his class as a lineout threat, pinching an Irish throw at the first time of asking.
As a whole, the All Blacks held firm on their own goal line, continually repelling Ireland to prevent them from scoring time and time again.
A late consolation try to former Chiefs star Bundee Aki was the only blemish on New Zealand’s stout defence late in the piece, but that couldn’t gloss over the glaring shortcomings evident in Ireland’s game as their wait for a first-ever win on Kiwi soil goes on.
By contrast, the All Blacks will be satisfied in the extreme to have broken their rare two-match losing streak and kick 2022 off with a bang through a momentum-building victory that could pay dividends over the coming weeks.
All Blacks 42 (Tries to Jordie Barrett, Sevu Reece, Quinn Tupaea, Ardie Savea (2) and Pita Gus Sowakula; 6 conversions to Barrett)
Ireland 19 (Tries to Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki; 2 conversions to Joey Carbery)
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments