All Blacks v Ireland recap: Dave Rennie’s side put 40 on Ireland to extend Eden Park streak
How the action unfolded as the All Blacks beat Ireland in Auckland.
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That's all folks
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We'll conclude our coverage there. A great win for this side against a quality opponent.
The All Blacks will now get a bit of time off before they get on that plane to South Africa.
We've got no shortage of content coming from the wash-up of this test though, so stick around over the next 24 hours!
Thank you for joining us, and see you again soon.
Dave Rennie:
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"I thought Patrick [Tuipulotu] was excellent. He's probably short of a gallop still, but his ability to get through the line gave us a bit of presence.
"It was a really good competition for places. They're good men, they're helping each other get better. We saw a lot of good stuff tonight.
"Not many teams put 40 on the Irish, we saw in stages how good they are. We were pretty lethal, we kicked better tonight.
"We thought we'd have an edge at scrum time, and then bring in the young fellas with a bit of energy. I was really happy with how the boys fronted in the first half.
"We're well aware of the challenge. We've had a month together. I've learned heaps about the boys, they're good men who've connected really well."
Patrick Tuipulotu
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"[I feel] pretty good, considering how physical it was. It was about getting into a position to carry.
"I was reflecting on the bus in the way in. Being at Eden Park, in a black jersey with a full crowd... it didn't disappoint.
"I really enjoyed that."
Quinn Tupaea:
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"Their attack is hard to stop. They all swing together and overpopulate one area of the field.
"Our defence hasn't been great the last few weeks, but we stood up there.
"This is the spiritual home of NZ rugby. We're always under pressure, we just have to step towards it."
Liam Napier reports
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Three from three
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The All Blacks strong start to the Nations Championship continues.
They're the first team to notch three wins, admittedly thanks to timezones.
However, that was the perfect run of tests to build towards the tour of South Africa.
Dan Sheehan:
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"We were pumped up to be here. Our discipline let us down today. We really targeted this game, but we'll learn the lessons.
"We've blooded a few new players, we wanted to test ourselves against the best. We know where we are now.
"We just need to hit the ground running next year.
"Coming down here is an absolute privilege. We have a lot of people down here, thank you for coming out."
Ardie Savea:
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"Very proud of the men. It's all in the mindset, we talk about throwing the first punch.
"We just chipped away at it. You have to give credit to the Irish.
"Man, we're stoked. I'm proud of the boys, even the bench, the boys that came on really stepped up.
"It's the connection, when you've got a strong foundation, you can never be shaken."
Damian McKenzie:
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"A tough test match. We knew we had to start well.
"It was still a grind in that second half. We had to work really hard, but awesome to come away with a win.
"We had a really good balance between our kick game and our run game. We worked really hard this week to come back to Eden Park, a place we love playing [at].
"I'm loving the way we're playing, we're just getting started. You can tell we're having a lot of fun out there."
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It's only been three games, but that's by far the most convincing performance of the Dave Rennie era.
Six tries to three, and the Eden Park run extends to 53 games unbeaten.
Damian McKenzie has been named man-of-the-match, and more than deserves it. He was backed up by Quinn Tupaea, while Patrick Tuipulotu was excellent in his first test of the year.
FULLTIME
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McKenzie kicks off, Ireland win it and look to use it.
The ball goes to ground and Lord snatches it, but the ball is thrown into touch as the siren goes.
That's fulltime.
79 mins - TRY ALL BLACKS
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Ireland's lineout is shaky, and Aumua snatches it.
The All Blacks have the ball on Ireland's 22 after a run from Ratima.
Lienert-Brown and Jordan both have a go on the left as the All Blacks creep forward.
Another try will seal this. Segner has a go, tackled short. Lord does the same.
Savea and Lakai combine, tackled short. Aumua goes again, short.
Clarke has another crack, before Jordan slips the ball away to Lienert-Brown, and he scores on the left wing to pass 40!
McKenzie to convert with Love off the field. Tough kick from the left touchline, and he misses.
NZ 40-21 IRELAND
77 mins
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Ireland lineout, Kelleher throws with Sheehan subbed off.
They win it, and look to use it in their own half. They break down the left, but Moorby intercepts and the All Blacks use it quickly.
He and Savea exchange passes, before the kick comes. Ireland win it, and the All Blacks are penalised for hands in the ruck.
75 mins
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Lakai replaces Jacobson in the final 10 minutes. Ratima replaces Roigard.
All Blacks lineout, Aumua throws, over the top to no one, and Ireland have it.
Aki runs inside the All Blacks half, tackled. Baloucoune does the same.
Prendergast kicks over the top, and finds Frawley! Jordan gets back to defend with the tryline in front, and wins the turnover.
McKenzie takes it quickly, before Lienert-Brown kicks over the top to find touch.
73 mins
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Prendergast can't find touch and the All Blacks run again through McKenzie.
Clarke runs, before Jordan chips over the top. Frawley gets there and finds touch.
72 mins
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Lienert-Brown comes on, straight swap with Tupaea.
Aumua throws, Vaa'i wins it. They go to the backs straight away.
Barrett takes the ball into contact, before they go back infield to Numia.
Lord carries to the 10m line, before they go to the right through Jordan.
They go back the other way, but McKenzie loses it into contact. Aki got a touch, so the All Blacks keep it.
Roigard snipes, before Clarke splits the line. The All Blacks carry to the 22 through Savea.
The All Blacks move the ball before Jacobson and Moorby both break the line and carry into the 22. Segner picks and goes to the 5m line, as does Numia.
They surge to the line through Aumua, short. Barrett throws wide to Moorby, but the ball takes too long and he's tackled.
Past 18 phases now. Jordan runs at the line, tackled. Same for Segner and Barrett. They go wide before Clarke straightens. McKenzie goes, as does Roigard, both stopped.
Jordan has a go on the shortside, before Aumua goes again. That's 25 phases. Barrett runs, and he loses the ball in the tackle.
We go back for a penalty against Segner, dangerous cleanout.
68 mins
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All Blacks scrum, Roigard feeds. Front row goes down, so we'll have another go.
They go again, but Ireland give away a penalty in the front row for an early push. McKenzie finds touch.
66 mins
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McKenzie restarts. Ireland have the ball under control in their half.
Gibson-Park goes to the air, Moorby takes it backwards before he's tackled.
Roigard returns fire, and Keenan does excellently to win it back. Ireland look to run now, they go wide to Baloucoune, he's tackled by Clarke.
Ireland not really going anywhere, before O'Toole loses it forward.
63 mins - TRY IRELAND
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Ireland lineout, deep inside the 22.
Sheehan throws, Beirne wins it and they drive. The All Blacks defend and stop the maul, but Ireland are in a great position.
McCarthy is strong again to get past the 5m line.
Sheehan goes and wins advantage. Timoney has a crack, as does Beirne again, but the All Blacks defence holds.
They go wide, as Prendergast fires a cutout pass to the left wing, where Keenan accepts it, and falls over the line to score.
Prendergast to convert from the sideline, toughest kick of the night so far - for either side.
He nails it!
NZ 35-21 IRELAND
61 mins
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Hang on, we'll check that knock-on shout against Tupaea. He gets a finger tip into Beirne. Looks like this will be called intentional knock-on.
Will this be a yellow? No, just a penalty against Tupaea.
61 mins
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Ireland lineout. Sheehan throws, Beirne wins it and Ireland use the ball.
Aki finds Kiwi-born Jansen, tackled. Baloucoune gets a pass from over the top, but he's stopped by Jordan. Tupaea makes a nuisance of himself going for the intercept, but knocks on.
Ireland scrum.
59 mins
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Roigard feeds, and they run off the back.
Clarke makes room down the left, before they go back infield through McKenzie and Vaa'i.
Vaa'i is called for not releasing, as Sheehan wins a penalty.
58 mins
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Apologies, Ireland knocked on, not Lord.
Tuipulotu makes way, Segner comes on. Vaa'i shifts to lock.
58 mins
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Love makes way for Clarke. McKenzie to 10, Jordan to fullback. Newell replaces Lomax for good after the injury scare.
Lord loses the ball from the kickoff, Ireland scrum.
57 mins - TRY ALL BLACKS
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After a brief delay, the All Blacks want the lineout.
Aumua throws, Lord wins it at the front and they drive. Aumua has it at the back, but loses his footing as he runs.
Tuipulotu and Jacobson have a go, before they go to the backline.
Roigard has a crack, but he's tackled short. Lomax is short of his first try, before Love does the same. Less than a metre away.
McKenzie gets there quickly and picks and goes to score!
Love to convert, and does.
NZ 35-14 IRELAND
54 mins
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All Blacks lineout. Aumua throws, Lord wins it and they go to the maul.
They go to Moorby, who's tackled. They go left through Savea, and then back infield past the 22.
Numia has a strong carry, same with Vaa'i. Tupaea picks and goes, before Vaa'i goes again. Roigard snipes at the line, and wins advantage for offside.
Lord goes, but is forced backwards. Numia has a go at first receiver, tackled. Aumua does the same.
Barrett and Tupaea combine as the All Blacks go right, before Love and Lord dart back infield. Tuipulotu carries deep inside the 22, before we stop for the penalty.
51 mins
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Uh oh. Love has stayed down hurt after that challenge. O'Brien has tackled him in the air.
Will this be a card? O'Brien clearly wraps his arms in the air. It looks like he'll escape though.
Clarke is warming up as Love gets his knee strapped.
51 mins
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Changes in the front row. Numia replaces de Groot.
Sheehan throws, Ireland win it before Prendergast goes to the air.
Love gets up to win it. Barrett kicks, and wins a lineout as Keenan carries into touch.
50 mins
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All Blacks lineout, Aumua throws, Vaa'i wins it.
The All Blacks drive, but Ireland force them backwards.
Roigard goes to the air, and Barrett wins it ahead of O'Brien! They go wide to Moorby, who darts back infield. They go to the right, but McKenzie spills it on the touchline.
49 mins
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Ireland lineout, Sheehan throws, Beirne wins it.
Prendergast dummies to beat his defender, but throws the ball straight into touch.
Third time Ireland have done that tonight.
48 mins
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Love kicks off. McCarthy wins it as Ireland look to run through Furlong.
Prendergast kicks over the top, straight to Love. He finds McKenzie who kicks it back, before Prendergast returns fire.
Love has it again, as Jordan kicks low to Keenan, who runs into Jordan.
Ireland go wide to Baloucoune, tackled on the right. Gibson-Park goes to the air, Moorby takes it brilliantly under the challenge.
Roigard goes to the air, and finds touch.
45 mins - TRY IRELAND
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Sheehan throws, Ireland win it and McCarthy runs off the back.
Van der Flier goes at the line, and he's tackled short. McCarthy goes again, and he carries to the posts.
Has he got it down? The referee says yes! Ireland hit back after the break!
Prendergast converts.
NZ 28-14 IRELAND
Christopher Reive
44 mins
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First scrum of the second half. Gibson-Park feeds, as Ireland go through the hands before Ringrose is stopped just shy of halfway.
McCloskey offloads to Conan, and Ireland are on the front foot as Gibson-Park carries inside the 22.
The go to Baloucoune, but McKenzie tackles on the flank. Ireland are close as van der Flier runs.
O'Toole has a go now, as does Beirne, as does Furlong. The All Blacks defence holds.
Ireland go wide to their right through Sheehan, and the All Blacks are offside. The referee stops play. Tuipulotu the culprint.
Ireland want the lineout.
41 mins
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All Blacks unchanged from the first half, Aumua still on for Taylor.
Love kicks off and the All Blacks win it. They go to their left, but Barrett loses the ball in a tackle, so we'll have a scrum.
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Right then, we're just about ready to get back underway. Yet to see if there's been any changes at the break.
Love will kick off to get us underway again.
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Wow, what a half. The All Blacks were tested, but have taken about every chance that came their way.
Tries to Tuipulotu, Savea, Jordan and Aumua have given a 21-point lead, with Love perfect from the tee.
Last week saw the All Blacks surge in the third quarter against Italy, so let's see if we get more of the same at Eden Park.
HALFTIME
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One last lineout before the break. Sheehan throws, and the All Blacks don't contest it, McCarthy wins it and Ireland drive.
Gibson-Park has it at the back, and goes to McCloskey, but Jacobson gets over the top and wins the penalty!
The ball is cleared, and that's the half.
40+2 mins
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Seconds left in the first half, in fact the siren goes. Prendergast kicks off.
Ireland go short and win it inside NZ's half. Ireland have advantage against Lomax.
McCarthy makes a strong surge upfield, before Ireland go all the way to McCloskey on the right wing.
They carry back infield as Beirne hits the line. They're going side to side, but creeping forward.
Furlong has a crack, tackled. McCloskey does the same.
Vaa'i gets offside and gets a hand on the ball, so we stop for the penalty.
Ireland want the lineout.
40 mins - TRY ALL BLACKS
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All Blacks lineout, can they get another before halftime? Jacobson is back on.
Aumua throws, Lord wins it and they drive.
Aumua has it at the back and runs. They're 5m out. Jacobson goes now, tackled. Same for Tuipulotu.
Roigard finds Aumua, who goes for the line, but he's just short. He claims the try though.
We'll stop to check it as Ireland give away advantage. He looks like he's gotten it down on the line, and he celebrates.
The ball rolls back once he's grounded it, but it looks like he found the chalk - and the try is awarded!
Can Love add the extras? No issue.
NZ 28-7 IRELAND
Christopher Reive
38 mins
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Prendergast kicks off, Tuipulotu wins it. Roigard clears, straight to Keenan who's tackled on halfway.
Ireland kicks, and McKenzie overruns it, Moorby tidies up.
Roigard clears, and Baloucoune wins it, before losing it. Love clears and looks for a 50-22 - and gets it!
35 mins - TRY ALL BLACKS
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Love kicks off, and Ireland control it through Ryan.
They look to run it from their 22, McCloskey throws it, the ball bounces - Jordan pounces on the loose ball and runs away to score unchallenged! Try No 51!
Love converts.
NZ 21-7 IRELAND
34 mins - TRY IRELAND
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Sheehan throws, deep in NZ territory.
Conan has a run, tackled just short. Beirne picks and goes, tackled.
Conan goes again, and this time he won't be stopped! He surges over Aumua and de Groot, after a great short ball from Gibson-Park. Ireland hit back before the break.
Prendergast to convert, and does.
NZ 14-7 IRELAND
32 mins
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Taylor leaves the field injured, Aumua replaces him and has a lineout straight away. Lord wins it, Love clears, but not out.
Keenan runs it inside NZ's half, Baloucoune does the same, but Barrett gives away a penalty for not rolling away.
31 mins
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Jacobson escapes with just a yellow. That's a massive call, Ireland will be furious.
Just under seven minutes remaining before the All Blacks go back to 15.
31 mins
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Taylor throws, Lord wins it and the All Blacks run.
Tupaea hits the line hard, before McKenzie looks to break again.
Taylor has a crack, the All Blacks well inside Ireland's half now.
De Groot runs, as does Taylor again, but van der Flier steals it and Ireland counter.
They go wide to Sheehan out on NZ's left, before being forced back infield.
O'Brien slips through, before Keenan breaks! He doesn't look for the man outside and takes it into the tackle.
Prendergast picks the ball up, and just throws it into touch as Jordan tackles.
29 mins
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The All Blacks down to 14. Prendergast clears and Ireland have a lineout.
Sheehan throws, Ireland win it. Gibson-Park goes to the air, and Beirne manages to end up with it.
Ireland work from inside their own half, but Gibson-Park just throws it into touch.
28 mins - YELLOW CARD ALL BLACKS
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Hang on, we're checking for foul play on someone. It's Jacobson.
He's flown in off his feet, into the side, and hit van der Flier with his shoulder.
This should be red. It's yellow for now, but under review for red.
28 mins
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Taylor throws, the All Blacks win it and drive.
Savea runs into contact, as does Jacobson. Jordan darts down the left, before Tuipulotu picks and goes,
The All Blacks are so close! Taylor and Roigard pick and go. The ball is lost, but Ireland are called for offside again.
27 mins
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Taylor throws, but Ireland get up and disrupt it.
Ringrose fumbles trying to carry, and Moorby steals it for the All Blacks in Ireland's half.
McKenzie kicks down the left wing, and O'Brien takes it into touch.
All Blacks lineout on the 22.
26 mins
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All Blacks lineout, Taylor throws, Lord wins it.
They go through the hands, before kicking downfield. Aki returns fire and we'll have a lineout.
25 mins
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Prendergast kicks off again, this could get away from Ireland very quickly.
Barrett wins it and the All Blacks run from deep. McKenzie looks to step through, tackled.
Roigard slips as he clears, but the All Blacks win a penalty. Ireland offside.
23 mins - TRY ALL BLACKS
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Savea calls for the scrum. O'Brien has passed his HIA.
Roigard feeds, Love waits in behind. Savea runs himself and barges right over for the second try of the night! Beirne missed the tackle off the back of the scrum.
Can Love add the extras? Of course he can.
NZ 14-0 IRELAND
Christopher Reive
21 mins
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All Blacks scrum, deep inside the 22. Roigard feeds, McKenzie and Love wait behind the pack.
Roigard goes to Barrett, who finds McKenzie, who tries to dance through the line, but he's tackled.
Lord has a go, tackled, de Groot runs and wins advantage.
Tuipulotu runs, and is stripped, so we go back for the penalty. Ireland offside.
20 mins
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Frawley is down injured. He replaced O'Brien on the wing. Frawley leaves the field, Bundee Aki comes on.
20 mins
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All Blacks lineout just inside the half, Taylor throws, Tuipulotu wins it.
The All Blacks have it on the front foot, as Vaa'i is freed down the left.
Love kicks in behind, Jordan chases but Frawley wins it and Ireland are under pressure, five metres out.
Gibson-Park clears, and doesn't find touch! The All Blacks are on the front foot, but there's a knock-on from Ireland after McKenzie breaks.
The ball goes into touch on the left wing, so we go back for the penalty.
18 mins
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All Blacks scrum, Roigard feeds.
He goes off the back and they run through Love and Tupaea.
Ireland give away a penalty, Gibson-Park the culprit, tackling his man without the ball.
Love clears for a lineout.
17 mins
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Sheehan throws for Beirne over the top. Ireland on the front foot all of a sudden.
Conan has a strong run, as does Beirne - who gets absolutely smashed and loses it.
Vaa'i dishes out some verbals and a shove, and there's a scuffle.
The referee summons both captains for a bit of a talking to.
All Blacks scrum.
16 mins
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Lomax is now back. Prendergast kicks off again, Tuipulotu wins it.
Roigard clears, and it dribbles into touch, very little distance.
15 mins - TRY ALL BLACKS
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Lomax has gone off for a blood bin, we hear. Taylor throws, Jacobson wins it and the All Blacks run it just inside their own half.
Jordan makes ground on the left, before they go back infield.
They go right to Vaa'i, as he carries inside the 22. Tupaea straightens, as does Taylor.
The All Blacks have advantage. Lord picks and goes, and puts Tuipulotu into a gap - and he scores!
Can Love convert? He can!
NZ 7-0 IRELAND
13 mins
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Ireland scrum. O'Toole goes down at tighthead, so the scrum resets.
They go again, Gibson-Park feeds and runs off the back. McCarthy has a go and gets to the All Blacks' 22.
Ringrose and Conan both go, both tackled. Gibson-Park passes to O'Toole, who spills it straight to Ryan in an offside position.
All Blacks penalty as Love finds touch for a lineout.
10 mins
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Prendergast finds touch, and Ireland have a lineout in the All Blacks' half.
Sheehan throws quickly, and Ireland win it. Van der Flier is smashed by Moorby and Ireland go backwards.
McCarthy has a crack, as does Ryan, both tackled. Prendergast goes to the air, but Keenan spills it.
All Blacks have it, as Roigard box kicks. The ball is spilled straight to Codie Taylor and the All Blacks still have it.
McKenzie's pass bounces off Lord, so we stop for accidental offside.
8 mins
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All Blacks lineout, Taylor throws, they win it inside Ireland's half and they go again.
Barrett and McKenzie combine on the left, before Moorby runs it back infield to the 22.
Jordan looks to free McKenzie, but Ringrose gets over it and wins a turnover.
7 mins
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All Blacks scrum. Roigard feeds, Savea runs off the back and goes to Love.
Tupaea frees McKenzie, who's tackled. They go all the way to the right through Jordan, but Ireland don't give him any space to run.
Tuipulotu goes low, the All Blacks are well inside the half. McKenzie breaks on the left and carries into the 22.
The All Blacks go through the hands, but the ball is knocked down by Ireland. Beirne the culprit.
Not called, as the ball is cleared for a lineout.
5 mins
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Running repairs. Ringrose and Lomax have both stayed down hurt.
Lomax limps off with some kind of leg injury, Fletcher Newell replaces him. Ringrose looks like he's carrying on.
5 mins
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Scrum, about five metres inside the All Blacks half. Ireland's backline is split behind their own feed.
Gibson-Park feeds, and they go left. O'Brien runs, but is tackled as they go back infield, inside the All Blacks' 10.
Ringrose is held by Tupaea and Jacobson, who manage to win a penalty.
There's some niggle, as McCarthy takes offence at something said.
3 mins
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Here we go, All Blacks scrum. Big chance for Tupou Vaa'i at No 6.
Roigard goes to feed, but Ireland go too early. Free kick and they go quickly.
Jordan's kick is charged down, but the All Blacks keep it. Barrett kicks, and it goes dead in goal.
We go back downfield.
2 mins
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The All Blacks are going to target Ireland's set piece. Sheehan throws, and they go short. Sheehan runs and carries to halfway.
Conan takes the line on, and is tackled. Ringrose tries to go wide to the left and loses it forward.
All Blacks scrum.
1 min
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Kickoff straight to Barrett, who immediately finds touch. Ireland lineout.
KICKOFF
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And we're away! Sam Prendergast kicks off for Ireland, and it begins.
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Right then, last few moments before kickoff. All Blacks in their huddle.
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Great energy from Patrick Tuipulotu, and the throat slit gesture makes a comeback.
Ireland stand tall against it.
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The All Blacks assemble, and Ireland advance. Great theatre already.
It's Kapa O Pango this week.
What haka will we see?
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Codie Taylor stands ready to lead the haka.
We had Ka Mate last week, do we get Kapa O Pango this time out?
Time for the anthems
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Ireland's call first, then God Defend New Zealand second.
Here come the All Blacks!
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And now Ardie Savea brings the home side out onto the field.
(Obviously) a much louder cheer than what Ireland got.
Team enter Eden Park
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Dan Sheehan leads the Irish out onto the hallowed turf.
Plenty of cheers from the crowd, loads of green jerseys on display.
Irish view
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From the Irish Times' John O'Sullivan
"The standing joke about New Zealand’s unbeaten 52-match winning streak at Eden Park since France won 23-20 in 1994 is that the All Blacks choose the opposition wisely at a given point in time and only face teams at the Auckland venue if the home team is confident about their prospects."
Not long to go
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Less than 10 minutes until kickoff!
Christopher Reive
All Blacks fans arriving
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Chasing Richie
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Meanwhile, Richie Mo'unga is back on Kiwi shores, and preparing to turn out for Canterbury in the NPC.
Dave Rennie has made no secret of his want for Mo'unga to be on the plane to South Africa, but we're all going to have to be patient - as things stand, at least.
Three Kiwis for Ireland
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As has been the case for a while, there are three New Zealanders in green tonight.
Jamison Gibson-Park will continue at halfback, while Bundee Aki takes the No 23 jersey. Dunedin-born Sean Jansen joins Bundee on the bench, and will wear No 20 as he faces the All Blacks for the first time.
Last time out
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These two last met at Eden Park four years ago. On that occasion, the All Blacks came away 42-19 winners, in a week that saw coach Ian Foster go down with Covid, and Joe Schmidt take his place.
However, Ireland would come back to take the next two - in Dunedin and Wellington - and claim a famous 2-1 series victory, their first and only in New Zealand to date.
As far as Eden Park goes, though, Ireland have to go all the way back to 2011 for a win in Auckland, when they knocked the Wallabies over 15-6.
Lineups
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All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Patrick Tuipulotu, 6. Tupou Vaa’i, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Ardie Savea (c), 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Josh Moorby, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Damian McKenzie
Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Anton Segner, 20. Peter Lakai, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Caleb Clarke
Ireland: 1. Tom O’Toole, 2. Dan Sheehan (captain), 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. James Ryan, 6. Tadhg Beirne, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Jack Conan, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park, 10. Sam Prendergast, 11. Jimmy O’Brien, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Garry Ringrose, 14. Rob Baloucoune, 15. Hugo Keenan.
Reserves: 16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Jeremy Loughman, 18. Thomas Clarkson, 19. Nick Timoney, 20. Sean Jansen, 21. Craig Casey, 22. Ciaran Frawley, 23. Bundee Aki.
Rennie copying Rassie?
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Moving Tupou Vaa'i to No 6 is a play straight out of the Boks' playbook, writes Gregor Paul.
Rennie gambles on size
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Big is deemed best for the All Blacks as Dave Rennie supersizes his forward pack to meet Ireland’s physical threat head-on.
All Blacks' new skills glasses
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A second Scotsman ensconced in the All Blacks has instigated a creative technique to tackling lingering high ball challenges, writes Liam Napier.
Preview
Tupou Vaa’i returning to the loose forwards is the biggest talking point of the All Blacks side to face Ireland, as coach Dave Rennie named his 23 for Saturday’s Nations Championship clash at Eden Park on Saturday.
With the All Blacks’ 52-match unbeaten run in Auckland going on the line once again, Rennie has made nine changes – five in the starting XV and four on the bench – to the side that defeated Italy in Wellington.
Vaa’i moving from lock to the blindside of the scrum sees the All Blacks make a third change at No 6 in as many tests, with Peter Lakai and Wallace Sititi having filled the spot against France and Italy respectively.
The 26-year-old hasn’t played in the loose forwards since last August, when he started at No 6 in a historic 29-23 loss to Argentina in Buenos Aires – New Zealand’s first loss to Los Pumas away from home.
His shift has also seen a new locking combination, as Patrick Tuipulotu and Josh Lord form the second row, with no cover on the bench. Tuipulotu had been named to play in Christchurch, but was withdrawn on game day with a calf issue that saw Jamie Hannah debut off the bench.
Elsewhere, Josh Moorby is elevated from the reserves into the starting XV, after an outstanding cameo on debut against Italy.
Quinn Tupaea also returns to the starting side after sitting out the Wellington game, and takes the place of Billy Proctor at centre. Despite missing training earlier in the week, Jordie Barrett has been passed fit to take his usual spot at No 12.
On the bench, Xavier Numia and Fletcher Newell both return to reinforce the front row, while Asafo Aumua returns as the reserve hooker. Lakai returns after sitting out in Wellington. Caleb Clarke comes back into the matchday 23 after starting in Christchurch.
Barring injuries, the selections for Eden Park will mean the trio of Beauden Barrett, Kyle Preston and Simon Parker are the only players in the initial 34-man squad not to have seen any game time during this international window.
“Ireland have been one of the best sides in the world for a number of years now,” Rennie said.
“They are very experienced and well-coached and will have belief on the back of their recent success here. We are well aware of the challenge they pose.
“We have selected a strong team that allows some of the combinations we have tested to continue building, and rewards players who have impressed over the last two rounds, including some of our recent debutants.
“We know how important our bench will be against a team as tenacious as Ireland, so have selected players who we know are capable of making an impact and influencing the course of the game.”
All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Patrick Tuipulotu, 6. Tupou Vaa’i, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Ardie Savea (c), 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Josh Moorby, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Damian McKenzie
Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Anton Segner, 20. Peter Lakai, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Caleb Clarke