Andy Farrell: Scoreline not a fair reflection of where Ireland are at

Andy Farrell insisted Ireland are closer to New Zealand than the 40-21 scoreline suggested after watching his side fall to a comprehensive defeat in the third round of the Nations Championship at Eden Park.

The All Blacks extended their remarkable unbeaten home record with six tries in Auckland, scoring four times in a devastating first half through Patrick Tuipulotu, Ardie Savea, Will Jordan and Asafo Aumua.

Jack Conan replied for Ireland before Joe McCarthy and Hugo Keenan crossed after the break, while Sam Prendergast converted all three tries.

Having opened the campaign with bonus-point victories over Australia and Japan, Ireland were ultimately punished for a string of errors against stronger opposition as Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown added further scores for the hosts.

Farrell’s immediate focus after the match was on the resilience his players showed despite a frustrating and inaccurate display.

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“I think the first thing to say is the obvious stuff: what we just talked about in the changing rooms is that these lads have not got it in them to give it up after a poor enough start, especially when things are not going our way, the flow of our game is not flowing, for many different reasons — whether that be penalties conceded or uncharacteristic poor passing, whether it be into touch or intercept passing or whatever.

“So the flow of our game never really got going, but how we stuck at it and kept on fighting is there for everyone. And we saw that in Australia, and we got a great win on the back of that, but against the quality of opposition that you’re playing here, you’re going to come off on the wrong side of the result. And it wasn’t just the wrong side of the result; they won pretty comfortably in the end.

“But, yeah, I suppose the overriding feeling is one for the tour as a whole, really. We’ve got to use it in the right manner for what’s happening in the next 15 months.”

Ireland struggled to build any sustained rhythm throughout the contest, with a series of handling mistakes and turnovers allowing New Zealand to capitalise.

Farrell felt the errors were particularly disappointing because they came from players who are usually among the most reliable distributors in the squad.

“If you look back on it, some of our best ball players — that’s why I say ‘uncharacteristic’, really — because it’s something that you don’t see certainly on a daily basis or on a weekend neither. So that’s what big matches do to you, and that’s a lesson that’s got to be learned, that’s for sure.”

Despite the margin of defeat, Farrell rejected the suggestion that the result accurately reflected the gap between the two sides.

“I don’t think so [that the result is fair reflection of where Ireland are at]. We’re disappointed with ourselves. We’re full of pride because of the fight, et cetera, but we’re disappointed with how it unfolded, the inaccuracies of a few parts of our game. So, no, I think the two sides are certainly closer than that, but I suppose the only thing that matters is how both teams keep on improving over the next 15 months.”