Ireland pay the price as New Zealand romp home

Ireland 13, New Zealand 23

Fielding a side that had only one Munster player in the starting fifteen, Ireland paid the price for basic errors tonight in the Aviva Stadium. They took the lead after seven minutes thanks to a Jack Crowley penalty but the visitors levelled it two minutes later when Damian McKenzie popped over a penalty at the other end of the field. An error by Bundi Aki when he dropped the ball in midfield set the pattern and on 28 minutes McKenzie put his side in front with another kick at the posts. Before the break both sides added three pointers, Crowley and McKenzie accurate from the kicking tee and sides went in with the All Blacks leading 6-9.

Ireland started the second half in control and on 42 minutes the home support exploded when Josh van der Flier gounded and Crowley converted to put his side 13-9 ahead. That was to be Andy Farrell’s side’s last score with McKenzie kicking penalties on 48 minutes, 61 and 63 and Will Jordan scampering over for a well-taken try before the finish.

The Irish coach was not happy with the performance of his side on this occasion referring to the manner in which they spoiled some decent chances and the number of unacceptable errors at this level was regretable.
Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).
Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, Ciarán Frawley, Jamie Osborne.
New Zealand: Will Jordan; Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke; Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Tamatai Willians, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax; Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i; Wallace Sititi, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea.
Replacements: George Bell, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samipeni Finau, Cam Roigard, Anton Lienert-Brown, Stephen Perofeta.
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)

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