New Zealand 34 Ireland 23:New Zealand staged a second-half fightback to deny Ireland their first-ever win over the All Blacks at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton today.
Eddie O'Sullivan's men opened up a 23-15 lead and were still ahead with nine minutes remaining but three penalties from flyhalf Luke McAlister clawed the hosts back in front and a try from replacement lock Troy Flavell settled it late on.
Flavell, returning to the side for the first time since 2001, capitalised after Ma'a Nonu had gathered a misplaced Peter Stringer kick to score a 73rd minute try that helped the All Blacks cap an unconvincing 34-23 victory. It ensured Ireland would remain without a victory over the All Blacks in 19 tests and denied the visitors real hope of a first success over their illustrious opponents in 101 years of competition.
McAlister added 19 points in an otherwise patchy display, while
winger Doug Howlett and fullback Mils Muliania also scored tries
for New Zealand.
Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll and winger Andrew Trimble
scored tries for the visitors, while flyhalf Ronan O'Gara stroked
13 points from three penalties and two conversions.
New Zealand, who were captained for the first time at home by
openside flanker Richie McCaw, dominated possession and territory
but were hamstrung by a well-organised Irish defence and their own
errors.
The All Blacks made their attacking intentions clear in the
first minute when Muliaina broke a weak tackle from O'Gara and
cleared away, allowing Howlett to score in the corner after he had
received a long pass from centre Aaron Mauger.
O'Driscoll, keen to shake off the disappointment of last
year's Lions tour, found the perfect riposte when Nonu badly
misread the flying centre's attacking line and allowed the Irish
captain to score under the posts. O'Gara slotted home the easy
conversion.
The home side then established a frustrating pattern of
dominating possession and territory, only for a forward to get in
the way of an expansive backline move or for the ball to be turned
over, with Nonu the main culprit.
Ireland were also willing to spin the ball wide, though their
impressive defensive screen was their main contribution to the
game. O'Gara added a further two penalties to send them into
halftime with a 16-8 lead.
Muliaina closed the gap shortly after the break when he
finished off a backline move but Ireland responded again, winger
Trimble touching down at the end of a scintillating passage of team
rugby.
O'Gara's conversion gave Ireland a handy 23-15 lead with 30
minute remaining, though McAlister slotted three successive
penalties to give his side a one-point advantage with nine minutes
remaining. Flavell then signaled his return to the
international fold with a flourish, much to the delight of the
29,850 crowd.
Scorers:
New Zealand
Tries: Doug Howlett (1), Mils Muliaina (44), Troy
Flavell (73)
Con: Luke McAlister (45, 74)
Pen: McAlister (20, 57, 59, 71, 76)
Ireland
Tries: Brian O'Driscoll (8), Andrew Trimble (49)
Con: Ronan O'Gara (9, 50)
Pen: O'Gara (11, 27, 40)
Half Time:8-16
