NEW ZEALAND 42-19 IRELAND
For 20 minutes, we had a contest. Mistakes led to New Zealand tries out of nowhere and it got grim. The full Ireland ratings do not make for pretty reading.
Two games into Ireland’s tour of New Zealand and Andy Farrell’s side have lost twice, as well as conceding over 70 points. Johnny sexton [concussion] is going to miss the Second Test, too.
Ireland got off to a fantastic start when, after 18 excellent phases, Hugo Keenan found Keith Earls for a try in the right-hand corner.
That brilliant Keith Earls try after 18 breathless phases 🤯pic.twitter.com/yUqYeoleWP
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) July 2, 2022
That was as good as it got. New Zealand edged 7-5 in front when Jordie Barrett got a converted try after a great team move.
That was the scoreline after 29 minutes but a Sevu Reece intercept try saw Ireland go 14-5 down. Now reeling and with an injured Johnny Sexton off the pitch, the visitor’s heads had gone. They conceded tries from Quinn Tupaea and Ardie Savea and trailed 28-5 at the break.
Beauden Barrett of New Zealand is tackled by Tadhg Beirne of Ireland. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)Fast start, and chances spurned
Former Ireland outhalf Ronan O’Gara spoke of ‘winning the second half’, over on Sky Sports, and that looked the best the visitors could hope for. They did score, through Garry Ringrose, but New Zealand responded with a second Ardie Savea try.
Ireland’s hopes of making the final scoreline close, and trying to lay down a Second Test marker, were not helped by Joey Carbery and Josh van der Flier both knocking on over the Kiwi whitewash.
With 10 minutes to go, New Zealand hit breached 40 points when sub Pita Gus Sowakula got over after the Irish scrum had been easily wheeled, and Beauden Barrett kicked his sixth conversion.
Here are our full Ireland ratings after an ugly night for Andy Farrell’s side at Eden Park:
IRELAND RATINGS
Hugo Keenan – 5
Peach of a pass to set up that Earls try. Some decent flashes in attack. Missed a couple of tackles.
Keith Earls – 6
Stayed wide and was rewarded with his 35th international try. Threatened a second before the tide turned against his side. Hard to blame him on that second Savea try as it was a two-on-one.
Garry Ringrose – 6
Early crunching, rib-rattling tackle on Sam Cane forced a turnover. Almost had Gibson Park in for a try after collecting a Sexton grubber on the charge. Sloppy pass to James Lowe spoiled a promising Irish attack. Slipped before his pass to Lowe was intercepted for a Sevu Reece try. Got a lovely, diving try in the left-hand corner. Missed a tackle on Savea before the forward’s second try.
Robbie Henshaw – 6
A whole-hearted effort but the All Blacks were never too worried about him. Could not bring down Savea when he made his line break for the host’s fifth try.
James Lowe – 6
Fumbled out of play, but the pass from Ringrose was no help. A hesitation from Ringrose saw him slip, and Reece canter in an 80-metre intercept. Peach of an offload to set up that Ringrose try.
Johnny Sexton – 5
Brought out multiple chip-and-chases and kicks over the top, to try keep the Kiwis honest. Took a blow to the head and, moments later, got up to play on. When there was a break in play, after Sevu Reece’s try, he went off for a Head Injury Assessment and did not return.
Jamison Gibson Park – 4
Crisp passing was key in that Earls try. Forcing the issue and trying to play that quick tempo cost Ireland one try. Not clearing his lines, inside his 22, cost them another. Stood back at a second half ruck while the ball was stolen. Always a tough night for a No.9 when his pack are being outgunned.
Andrew Porter – 6
Asked to play the full 80 minutes as a compromised Cian Healy was on the bench. Pinged at an attacking scrum, just on the AB’s 22, as the hosts targeted him for special attention. Was alive to snatch a loose ball after an AB’s lineout went astray.
Dan Sheehan – 6
Made four BIG carries in those 18 phases before the Earls opener. Timing issues with lineout jumpers did not help him and he needed to get closer to Furlong at scrum-time. Had to get back out on the pitch after a short break when Heffernan, his replacement, was injured. Was pinged for offside when he returned.
Tadhg Furlong – 5
Got some early treatment on his shoulder. Did not have his usual impact and fell off a couple of tackles.
Tadhg Beirne – 5
Caught dozing at the breakdown for the Aaron Smith snipe, before the Savea try. Seems odd to see him play a game and not even look close to securing a turnover.
James Ryan – 5
Was sucked into a silly penalty when he tackled Smith before the ball was out. Struggled to impose himself on the ABs.
Peter O’Mahony – 7
Poached in for an early turnover and hacked it up the line, almost getting Earls in for his second. Took over as captain when Sexton went off, but got little change out of referee Karl Dickson. Kept going and had two nice offloads, one of which led to a try.
Josh van der Flier – 7
The momentum-setter for his team again. Stuck 12 first half tackles and was the guy charging up on kicks and trying to pressure the ABs. Had the ball dislodged, going over the tryline.
Caelan Doris – 5
Quiet in an attacking sense. Stuck his tackles but nothing of real dominance in those tackles. His final act was securing a breakdown turnover.
REPLACEMENTS
Joey Carbery (for Sexton ’30) – 6
Lost control of the ball, costing his side a third try. Kicked two touchline conversions.
Bundee Aki (for Earls ’56) – 7
Got over for a consolation try.
Jack Conan (for Doris ’56) – 5
Dave Heffernan (for Sheehan ’62) – N/A
Was down for treatment almost as soon as he entered the fray. Turned over, not long after, and went off injured.
Kieran Treadwell (for Beirne ’64) – 6
Tom O’Toole (for Furlong ’66) – 5
Scrum worries did not abate when he arrived, late in the piece.
Conor Murray (for Gibson Park ’71) – 6
Had a handy cameo as Ireland pressed for consolation scores.
