Niggly All Blacks avenge Chicago
LIGHTNING rarely strikes twice and so it proved at the Aviva Stadium last night when Ireland were battered into defeat by New Zealand just two weeks after they had claimed a famous win over the All Blacks in Chicago.
Ireland didn’t play badly by any means but New Zealand were a different beast. Stroppy, niggly and prepared to take liberties with the referee. They were also very physical much more organised in defence and possessed the two or three game breakers who can make all the difference in a high octane Test match.
The remarkable Brodie Retallick – badly missed in Chicago – heads that list with his incredible workrate in all departments while World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett was another standout. Joining that illustrious duo was the less experienced Ardie Savea who came on as a first half replacement for the injured Sam Cane at openside and proceeded to be a thorn in Ireland’s side for the duration.
For Ireland it was a case of what might have been. In the first half they lost three key players through injury – Robbie Henshaw, Jonny Sexton and CJ Stander – and they have reason to be unahppy with Henshaw’s injury which came after a nasty illegal looking challenge from Cane which could well earn a citing.
Ireland stuck with it and, small consolation, became the only side this season to restrict New Zealand to less than four tries which is testament to their defence.
In attack, however, they failed to fire enough bullets and threaten the All Balcks line, despite two ten minute periods when the All Blacks were shorthanded after yellow cards. During the second half in particular they failed to capitalise on long periods of dominance which was ultimately to cost them.
The All Blacks predictbly came roaring out of the blocks at the start and within three minutes had take the lead with a try from Malakai Fekitoa. Jonny Sexton hit back with a penalty before Barrett swooped to score a second although there was a strong suggestion from the TMO footage that Sexton had miraculously managed to get his arm under the ball and prevent Barrett from touching down.
Sexton went off injured soon after and although replacement Paddy Jackson added a penalty, Ireland went down the tunnel at half-time 14-6 down.
The game was far from lost and Ireland proceeded to dominate the third quarter but, unlike at Soldier Field, they could not convert pressure into points, a second Jackson penalty being their only reward.
New Zealand defended well and weathered the storm before breaking out for another Fekitoa try although Ireland complained that at least one of the passes involved was forward. Referee Jaco Peyper was not swayed and did not call in the TMO.
That third try was curtains for Ireland and although the final scoreline was harsh they can have few complaints.
“We are very disappointed becasue we don’t expect to lose games that Aviva,” said skipper Rory Best. “You have to score tries to beat the All Blacks, Chicago showed us that, and we failed to do that, even when they went down to 14.
“Their defence was very good and we got turned over a little which was a bit uncharacteristic of us and we have a few things to work on this week before we face Australia.”