The All Blacks have won the ‘grudge match’ – beating Ireland 23-13 in Dublin this morning in what will likely count as their sweetest, if not their most complete, victory since the cataclysmic World Cup win over the same opposition just over 12 months ago.
It was done via a clinical second half, the All Blacks recovering from the yellow card shown to Jordie Barrett for a high tackle with 30 seconds remaining in the first half, and then icing it thanks to Damian McKenzie’s goalkicking and Will Jordan’s try with 11 minutes remaining.
It was Jordan’s 37th try in 39 Tests and it was a masterclass of shaping an opposition and then finishing, with the outstanding hooker Asafo Aumua, who played 77 minutes in the win over England and backed up superbly here, providing the assist after excellent work from Wallace Sititi and Mark Tele’a.
“I want to give a special mention for Asafo Aumua, that is a moment,” Scott Robertson said on Sky’s broadcast afterwards.
Barrett’s yellow card for his hit on midfielder Garry Ringrose apart, the All Blacks won the now all-important penalty count and also the set piece battle. One not-straight throw by Aumua apart, the All Blacks lineout was immaculate and they stole three of Ireland’s.
With the All Blacks bench providing impact again from Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Pasilio Tosi and Patrick Tuipulotu, the visitors carried on the scrum dominance which started halfway through the first half and the penalties began flowing their way.
Ireland have lost only four times in the last 10 years in Dublin and were on a 19-game winning streak at Aviva Stadium but looked very much short of a gallop and their game fell apart when, in echoes of the All Blacks’ win over England last weekend, rival coach Andy Farrell replaced his first-five Jack Crowley.
McKenzie kicked six from eight attempts at goal – he hit a post with a long-range penalty and was off target for the conversion for Jordan’s try – and led the side with composure and authority in the absence of the injured Beauden Barrett.
Ireland’s setback means they will likely lose their world No.1 ranking to South Africa, a fall which may make this success all the sweeter for a New Zealand side who have been gunning for revenge since that historic Test series defeat at home to the men in green two years ago.
With Rieko Ioane, an Ireland favourite after the World Cup, leading the haka in the absence of the injured Codie Taylor, the Test started in an intimidating atmosphere for the All Blacks, with halfback Cortez Ratima under immediate pressure.
He struggled to clear the ball in the face of the Ireland pressure at the breakdown, a problem that the sturdier Cam Roigard did not have when he replaced him after 51 minutes.
Despite Ratima’s struggles, the All Blacks had an edge on attack and were worthy of their 9-6 halftime lead but Barrett’s yellow card was a big blow.
It wasn’t costly, however, even though flanker Josh van der Flier got around the corner to score on the line to give the Irish a 13-9 lead with a converted try.
The All Blacks responded, after a couple of loose moments, by playing for territory and keeping possession and were rewarded by referee Nic Berry, the Australian who was at least consistent with his rulings at the breakdown – characterised by a lightness of touch.
McKenzie chipped away at Ireland’s advantage, with Jordan’s score in the left corner the icing on the cake.
It was left for Ireland to break down the All Blacks’ defence, which was excellent.
Robertson has wanted scoreboard pressure all year and here he got it at just the right time, helped it must be said, by Ardie Savea’s superb penalty turnover under his posts.
“We asked for courage and we asked for care and we got both of them,” Robertson said.
A win over England at Twickenham, backed up by a victory over Ireland at Dublin are two significant successes for Robertson and his men.
Wins over France and Italy over the next two weeks will make this trip wildly successful.
All Blacks 23 (Will Jordan try; Damian McKenzie 6 pens)
Ireland 13 (Josh van der Flier try; Jack Crowley 2 pens, con)
Halftime: 9-6
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