Last updated 09:05 21/11/2010
Action from the match at Aviva Stadium.
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PETER MEECHAM/Fairfax Media Zoom
Richie McCaw, Hikawera Elliot and Liam Messam perform the haka against Ireland.
Ireland provided a reminder that even the mightiest of All Blacks sides must earn the right to spread the ball at Aviva Stadium in Dublin this morning, before eventually falling victim 38-18 to the tourists' two most impressive traits.For half an hour the All Blacks ran themselves as ragged as their opponents with a lateral attack that laid its hope in Ireland missing tackles.The haka had an extra bite perhaps the result of more pithy and ignorant criticism in the Irish press on the eve of the match, or maybe tinted by thoughts of the men trapped under a West Coast coal mine.But desperate to provide some cheer to a nation in the financial doldrums, the home team were in no mood to fall off tackles as Scotland had a week prior.The longer the scores stayed close the more the Irish belief grew.There was leg drive and technical know-how from Richie McCaw and Kieran Read and had lock Tom Donnelly not passed so early it would have been 5-0 in the first minute.But there was nothing direct enough to keep defenders at the ruck. Perhaps it was why Ma'a Nonu was unusually ineffectual in the midfield before being subbed after the break for Sonny Bill Williams.And after tackling for 32 minutes Ireland took their chance to score the first try with Jamie Heaslip popping Stephen Ferris through a hole with a forward pass for a 13-9 lead.Dan Carter's boot knocked over the fourth of his seven successes of eight kicks at goal and lock Anthony Boric scored just before the break for a 19-13 lead.And then Ireland discovered what is making this All Blacks side great, desperate defence and an ability to score in bunches.McCaw's side protect their line like a loyal dog does its owner and Jerome Kaino again showed his value to the line.Ireland didn't unravel so much as blink and the game was gone as Sam Whitelock and Kieran Read scored tries within two minutes.Ferris and wing Luke Fitzgerald collided as Kaino surged down the right hand side to put his No 8 over and two minutes later yet another piece of silky skill from wing Cory Jane under the high ball launched a counter that ended with Whitelock's third test try, all against Ireland.Suddenly it was 33-13.Brian O'Driscoll sent a message he is no spent force and was probably Ireland's best on show, his running scoop earning a try with 23 minutes to play and a shred of hope.Jane was all class on the wing after two tests on the sidelines, a danger every time he touched the ball whether in contact or running in the open field.The much talked about Nonu-Conrad Smith midfield combination never really got going and Williams again looked confident in his 22 minute cameo.Read was superb in the pack, mixing tight work with open field link play and deservedly scored on full time to stretch the winning margin.And Carter, his injured ankle no longer an issue to his kicking, gave a master class before missing his final conversion and a chance to equal England's Jonny Wilkinson as the leading test points scorer.There will be plenty for the All Blacks to review before playing Wales and first and foremost they may look at tightening up their first half efforts. Because as they will know tries come easier if they are earned up front first and international sides do not always roll over before kick off.All Blacks 38 (Kieran Read 2, Anthony Boric, Sam Whitelock tries; Daniel Carter 4 pen 3 con)Ireland 18 (Stephen Ferris, Brian O'Driscoll tries; Jonathan Sexton 2 pen con)Halftime: 19-13
Ireland provided a reminder that even the mightiest of All Blacks sides must earn the right to spread the ball at Aviva Stadium in Dublin this morning, before eventually falling victim 38-18 to the tourists' two most impressive traits.For half an hour the All Blacks ran themselves as ragged as their opponents with a lateral attack that laid its hope in Ireland missing tackles.The haka had an extra bite perhaps the result of more pithy and ignorant criticism in the Irish press on the eve of the match, or maybe tinted by thoughts of the men trapped under a West Coast coal mine.But desperate to provide some cheer to a nation in the financial doldrums, the home team were in no mood to fall off tackles as Scotland had a week prior.The longer the scores stayed close the more the Irish belief grew.There was leg drive and technical know-how from Richie McCaw and Kieran Read and had lock Tom Donnelly not passed so early it would have been 5-0 in the first minute.But there was nothing direct enough to keep defenders at the ruck. Perhaps it was why Ma'a Nonu was unusually ineffectual in the midfield before being subbed after the break for Sonny Bill Williams.And after tackling for 32 minutes Ireland took their chance to score the first try with Jamie Heaslip popping Stephen Ferris through a hole with a forward pass for a 13-9 lead.Dan Carter's boot knocked over the fourth of his seven successes of eight kicks at goal and lock Anthony Boric scored just before the break for a 19-13 lead.And then Ireland discovered what is making this All Blacks side great, desperate defence and an ability to score in bunches.McCaw's side protect their line like a loyal dog does its owner and Jerome Kaino again showed his value to the line.Ireland didn't unravel so much as blink and the game was gone as Sam Whitelock and Kieran Read scored tries within two minutes.Ferris and wing Luke Fitzgerald collided as Kaino surged down the right hand side to put his No 8 over and two minutes later yet another piece of silky skill from wing Cory Jane under the high ball launched a counter that ended with Whitelock's third test try, all against Ireland.Suddenly it was 33-13.Brian O'Driscoll sent a message he is no spent force and was probably Ireland's best on show, his running scoop earning a try with 23 minutes to play and a shred of hope.Jane was all class on the wing after two tests on the sidelines, a danger every time he touched the ball whether in contact or running in the open field.The much talked about Nonu-Conrad Smith midfield combination never really got going and Williams again looked confident in his 22 minute cameo.Read was superb in the pack, mixing tight work with open field link play and deservedly scored on full time to stretch the winning margin.And Carter, his injured ankle no longer an issue to his kicking, gave a master class before missing his final conversion and a chance to equal England's Jonny Wilkinson as the leading test points scorer.There will be plenty for the All Blacks to review before playing Wales and first and foremost they may look at tightening up their first half efforts. Because as they will know tries come easier if they are earned up front first and international sides do not always roll over before kick off.All Blacks 38 (Kieran Read 2, Anthony Boric, Sam Whitelock tries; Daniel Carter 4 pen 3 con)Ireland 18 (Stephen Ferris, Brian O'Driscoll tries; Jonathan Sexton 2 pen con)Halftime: 19-13
