‘Not a huge surprise’: Michael Hooper on All Blacks’ win over Ireland

Former Australia captain Michael Hooper has explained why “it’s not a huge surprise” that New Zealand beat Ireland 23-13 last week. The All Blacks knocked off the world’s top-ranked side at the time as they won at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium for the first time since 2016.

With thousands watching on at the iconic rugby venue, Rieko Ioane led the All Blacks’ haka to add more drama to the blockbuster showdown. It was the first time the two proud rugby sides would go head-to-head since last year’s dramatic quarter-final at the Rugby World Cup.

Ireland were considered the favourites going into this match, but the All Blacks are never to be taken lightly as history suggests. New Zealand had beaten England by two-points six days earlier, but they proved up to the task after a short turnaround between Tests.

Playmaker Damian McKenzie received Player of the Match honours after finishing with an 18-point haul from six penalty goals. Will Jordan scored the All Blacks’ only try of the night as they stunned the Irish crowd with a 10-point win a long way away from home.

Former Wallaby Stephen Hoiles questioned whether some had “underestimated” the All Blacks going into that Autumn Nations Series clash, before Hooper discussed how “the same old New Zealand” is always a force to be reckoned with inside the Test rugby arena.

“There’s a lot of discussion about New Zealand but they’re just the same old New Zealand, (but) everyone else is tighter,” Hooper said on SENZ’s Between Two Posts.

“I think that’s it. It’s just not so much of a guarantee that they’re going to roll over a team so that puts a question in the air of, ‘Oh, can they do it?’ So, it’s not a huge surprise when they do go and do it because they’re an amazing outfit.

“They’ve got the players that can do it so they go and win, like you would see against the top two teams in the world. Someone’s got to come out victorious and it’s not really a huge surprise that New Zealand did, they’re always got the class.”

Jack Crowley opened the scoring in the seventh minute for Ireland with a penalty goal, but it was practically all New Zealand from there throughout the opening term. McKenzie converted three unanswered penalty goals as the visitors clawed their way in front during a tense battle.

But a yellow card to Jordie Barrett proved decisive, with the hosts scoring the next 10 points. Crowley added another penalty goal before the half, and then backrower Josh van der Flier crossed for the first try of the night two minutes into the second half.

Ireland took a 13-9 lead in the 43^rd minute with the successful conversion, but they wouldn’t score another point on the night as the All Blacks wall-like defence stood tall. McKenzie also added another three penalties, and then Jordan put the icing on the cake with a try.

James Lowe kicked a monstrous 50/22 late in the piece to give the Irish a glimmer of hope, but Ardie Savea’s clever work at the breakdown all but ended any chance of a comeback. Ireland’s long-lasting unbeaten streak at the Aviva Stadium came to an end.

“Why Ireland have been really successful is because they don’t pick from a huge pool… everyone’s kind of playing together and that has its benefits. You should be able to come together quicker,” Hooper added.

“They’re not too far away from beating New Zealand who have been together now for the last six months.

“Uncharacteristic handling errors looked a bit dewy and wet, and it comes down to fine margins in the end and it looks like they were ill-disciplined as well, maybe forcing their hand too much rather than Ireland… allowing things to happen.”