The All Blacks have sidelined almost constant Covid complications that robbed them of three players and four coaches this week and provided the required response to suppress growing fears following successive defeats against Ireland and France that ended last year.
Retaining their 28-year-old Eden Park record thanks to a desperate defensive display as well as the sparkling attacking moments, the All Blacks immediately took a stranglehold on this highly anticipated series of three Tests against Ireland.
Scoring six tries against the best defensive team of the Six Nations series is no easy feat.
Often, the All Blacks’ enemy in recent years, after winning three of their previous five Tests, has gradually disintegrated Ireland in front of a crowd of 48,195. As the game progressed, and the All Blacks’ dominance grew, Ireland’s frustration became apparent.
By the end, the idea that Ireland was another animal at home came true.
However, it is impossible to underestimate the importance of this victory for the All Blacks. Losing at home to Ireland for the first time was not an option. In that dreaded scenario, the walls would have collapsed.
Victory, while not perfect, will ease the pressure on All Blacks head coach Ian Foster, who came out of Covid isolation on the day of the Test, and his management team.
First Tests of the year have traditionally been rusted for the All Blacks. Changes and disruptions enforced by Covid could have been disturbing, but the All Blacks rather teamed up with senior players who led the way in sweeping concerns aside and bleeding two newcomers, Leicester Fainga’anuku and Pita Gus Sowakula. Both grabbed their chances, the latter demanding a try on debut.
While elements of their game require refinement, the All Blacks clearly have more to come that will please Foster. Their largely dominant scrum was a big tick. So did the defense that denied Ireland several tries. The threats in the dives of the All Blacks will definitely leave their mark.
A dive rate of 93 percent (191/206) tells you all about their defensive excellence. Substitute Irish first five-eighth Joey Carbery was unhappy when his three was ruled out for a knock, but the ball struck from Josh van der Flier’s grip over the line typified the All Blacks’ defensive efforts.
A change in attacking tactics told the All Blacks. On the back of an improved platform, Aaron Smith consistently pushed the point of attack to pick out his forward runners who were stationed two or three wide from the loose scrum. It stretched Ireland far beyond their organized loose-leaf defenders to give the All Blacks more breathing space to strike. Sam Whitelock’s midfield back door with Rieko Ioane chasing Leicester Fainga’anuku away in the build-up to Jordie Barrett’s first half try was an example.
Firmly in control, leading 28-5 after five first-half tries, the All Blacks put their foot down the throat in the second half. Ardie Savea’s second try in which he struggled in the line to beat three defenders on his way to the line was something of beauty. Just like Beauden Barrett’s first half behind the defensive line for Quinn Tupaea to score.
Early nerves were evident when Ireland peppered the short side and achieved success through their short kicking to create a platform for Keith Earls to claim the opening try.
From there, however, the All Blacks got their game going through defensive resilience. Barrett got a crucial interception to save a try; Sevu Reece made significant stops on his wing and Ofa Tuungafasi made a mistake with a great shot on opposite Tadhg Furlong.
Ireland had enough possession to stay in touch and sometimes looked good as they moved the ball between full-backs and forwards, but they struggled to break the All Blacks line-up – perhaps a nod to Joe Schmidt who joined at engaged the defense structures.
Defensively, the All Blacks not only held on tight, but also rattled for Ireland to enforce frequent errors which they then indulged in through lethal counter-attack.
First Reece ran 80 yards after a Barrett shot. Smith then jumped up with a break in the middle, followed by a slide and chased after Savea’s first try after the All Blacks’ setback turned up a turnover.
Ireland were not happy with Karl Dickson’s interpretation of referee advantage in the run – up to Reece’s try or the decision of Smith’s rebound for Savea’s attack.
The visitors were also not helped by losing Jonathan Sexton in the 31st minute with a header. In a significant blow, after failing his HIA, Sexton will now be excluded for the rest of the tour under World Rugby’s new 12-day postponement protocols.
But as losses escalate – this defeat comes after midweek’s humiliation by New Zealand’s Māori in Hamilton – and troops continue to decline, Ireland’s tour rapidly declines to treacherous territory.
All Blacks 42 (Ardie Savea 2, Jordie Barrett, Sevu Reece, Quinn Tupaea, Pita Gus Sowakula tries; Barrett 6 cons)
Irish 19 (Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki tries; Joey Carbery 2 cons)
HT: 28-5