All Blacks' big men dominate Irish to extend streak at fortress

The All Blacks have extended their undefeated streak at Eden Park to 53 Tests with a 40-21 victory over Ireland that answered several questions about this team, including the effectiveness of their pack.

This was a significant result and performance and several levels above their previous wins this month against France and Italy.

It got a bit messy in the second half, and credit to Ireland for sticking with it after hitting halftime with a 28-7 deficit but there is no doubt head coach Dave Rennie got what he wanted from this Test; namely a victory and evidence his pack can turn it on when it has to.

They dominated Ireland’s set piece – no easy thing. They also all but nullified Ireland’s lineout drive which is similarly difficult.

In punching holes around the visitors’ breakdown and defending with frightening impact at times, Rennie’s big men made their presence felt in more ways than one. With their next stop South Africa, this performance will be pleasing indeed for the new head coach.

Going into this Test any sort of victory against the world No.3 team would have sufficed and yet while the All Blacks scored six tries – five of them converted by Ruben Love – there was a sense that they could have scored more.

It would be churlish to pick holes but the home side’s attack, which was very good in the first half and based around multiple threats, including excellent midfielders Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea, lost its shape a little after the break.

Love’s departure with a knee injury suffered while taking a high ball would not have helped, and credit should go to Ireland’s defence which was stretched and stressed all evening but never quit.

The Irish looked a little tired and out of sorts on attack but when they retained the ball and kept it tight they presented a real and present danger – especially from close range.

They scored two of their three tries that way, with the third, scored on the left by fullback Hugo Keenan, the result of concerted pressure.

The impact of Rennie’s reserves, including hooker Asafo Aumua, flanker Anton Segner, wing Caleb Clarke and midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown was hugely influential – another big plus.

But before that the pack laid the foundation and locks Patrick Tuipulotu, an early try scorer, and Josh Lord, plus loose forwards Tupou Vaa’i and Ardie Savea were standouts.

It was not entirely clinical from the All Blacks but they were ruthless when they needed to be and Ireland’s clunkiness on attack kept giving them ins.

Tuipulotu clearly took Rennie’s instructions to be direct literally when driving through the heart of the Irish defence and flanker Vaa’i was excellent in the unfamiliar No.6 jersey – both in the tight and when roaming wide.

Tuipulotu was rewarded with a try – a good reward for an excellent first Test of the series after a calf niggle – and skipper Savea was next with a similarly direct route off the back of an attacking scrum.

It was here that the All Blacks should have put their foot on the throat – and they had the opportunity to when they pinned the visitors on their tryline again – but a dangerous cleanout from Luke Jacobson resulted in the flanker spending 10 minutes in the sinbin.

It allowed Ireland to clear their lines and they got their first real opportunity to attack when Barrett was penalised for a ruck offence which must have been a tight call as he appeared to have rights to the ball.

Regardless, the Irish kicked into the All Blacks’ corner and the result was a try from close range for No.8 Jack Conan.

At 14-7, there was no sense that the All Blacks were in danger because Ireland, try as they might, could not string quality moments together.

A classic case was the lead up to Will Jordan’s almost inevitable try when a pass went astray after the re-start and the No.14 was there to pounce for his 51st Test try.

Aumua, who replaced Codie Taylor after 31 minutes, made it four tries for the half when powering over near the posts.

There was a sense that if the All Blacks struck first after halftime it may have got messy for the visitors but it was lock Joe McCarthy who did so for Ireland.

A Damian McKenzie reply was useful for the home side, with the elusive Lienert-Brown having the final say.

All Blacks 40 (Patrick Tuipulotu, Ardie Savea, Will Jordan, Asafo Aumua, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown tries; Ruben Love 5 cons)

Ireland 21 (Jack Conan, Joe McCarthy, Hugo Keenan tries; Sam Prendergast 3 cons)

Halftime: 28-7