Morning, everyone! It’s an early one, but hope you’re feeling fresh.
Ireland face the New Zealand at Fortress Eden Park from 8:10am, hoping to end the All Blacks’ legendary 32-year, 52-Test unbeaten run in Auckland.
Both sides have earned maximum returns from their respective Nations Championship campaigns so far, with Ireland edging out Australia in Sydney and battling past Japan in Newcastle, while Dave Rennie’s seemingly resurgent Kiwis have defeated France and Italy.
Ben Brady / INPHO
Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO
Today’s hosts are roughly 11-point favourites to beat Ireland, which is a rare enough margin for Farrell’s men these days.
It’s Gavan Casey with you here, and I’ll bring you a blow-by-blow account of the action — or near enough to it — if you can’t make it to a TV (Virgin Media).
Ben Brady / INPHO
Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO
It’s around 14 degrees Celsius and cloudy in Auckland, but it looks set to remain dry there this evening as New Zealand seek a fourth straight victory over Farrell’s Ireland.
3 hrs ago
7:35AM
How are you feeling, Ireland fans?
New Zealand have won the last three meetings between the sides stemming back to the famous World Cup quarter-final of 2023.
The Kiwis have beaten Ireland by double-digit scores in the teams’ last two November meetings, while only eight visiting teams (two of them draws) have gotten within seven points of the All Blacks at Eden Park in their last 52 Tests at Eden Park.
France were the last side to win there in 1994, when they became the first northern hemisphere country to win a Test series of any kind against New Zealand. They also remained the last side to win a series on Kiwi soil until Ireland reset the record books in 2022.
The question is, can Ireland do it again in this one-off Test?
A reminder of your lineups for today’s encounter. Australia’s Nic Berry will be your man in the middle, also.
Jimmy O’Brien gets a big start on the left wing, while the New Zealand-born Sean Jansen, who qualifies for Ireland through two of his grandparents, is set to earn his second Ireland cap off the bench.
Robert Baloucoune is also back on the right wing for Ireland.
Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Dave Rennie has picked Josh Moorby for his first Test start for the All Blacks — the superb Hurricanes finisher replaces the injured Leroy Carter.
NEW ZEALAND: Damian McKenzie; Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Josh Moorby; Ruben Love, Cam Roigard; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax; Josh Lord, Patrick Tuipulotu; Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Ardie Savea (captain).
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Anton Segner, Peter Lakai, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke.
IRELAND: Hugo Keenan; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jimmy O’Brien; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Tom O’Toole, Dan Sheehan (captain), Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Thomas Clarkson, Nick Timoney, Sean Jansen, Craig Casey, Ciarán Frawley, Bundee Aki.
Referee: Nic Berry [Australia].
3 hrs ago
7:56AM
Murray Kinsella is at Eden Park as we speak: he’ll have your match report and typically brilliant analysis. Murray and Ciarán Kennedy, who is on colour-piece duty, will also have a snap-reaction podcast for The 42 subscribers.
1′ – NZ 0-0 IRE: A fairly standard Haka by New Zealand which wasn’t challenged in any way by Ireland, who remained on the halfway line. A school choir nailed both anthems beforehand.
And Sam Prendergast gets us underway as Nic Berry sounds his whistle.
A shot at history for Ireland, here we go!
3 hrs ago
8:18AM
3′ – NZ 0-0 IRE: Scrum to Ireland about eight metres inside the Kiwi half after Jordie Barrett’s searching kick goes dead 60 yards downfield.
Ireland lock out the scrum but New Zealand defend stoutly and double-team Garry Ringrose with the choke tackle. So, scrum New Zealand inside their own half.
Great linespeed by the hosts, who shut Ireland down decisively there.
Tyrel Lomax, meanwhile, is hobbling off, holding his left quad. Could be a cut, actually? Fletcher Newell on at tighthead for the moment anyway.
2 hrs ago
8:21AM
6′ – NZ 0-0 IRE: A sizzling All Black attack is thwarted near his own five-metre line by Tadhg Beirne!
The blindside knocks back a Kiwi pass in open play and Jimmy O’Brien exits to touch.
New Zealand apply more attacking pressure but Garry Ringrose counter-rucks and Jimmy O’Brien wins the turnover penalty. Good scramble D by Ireland!
2 hrs ago
8:23AM
9′ – NZ 0-0 IRE: Ireland’s attack from the penalty again goes nowhere, with Prendergast mis-connecting with an up-and-under and Josh Moorby beating Hugo Keenan in the contest, just.
New Zealand’s defence comfortable and Ireland looking one-dimensional in possession thus far.
2 hrs ago
8:27AM
13′ – NZ 0-0 IRE: Ireland reach the Kiwi 22′ for the first time but James Ryan plays the ball after a knock-on by Jack Conan, I think, and concedes the penalty. Better, though, in the build-up.
16′ – TRY FOR NEW ZEALAND! NZ 7-0 IRE: Patrick Tuipoluto with the finish after beautiful, soft hands by lock Josh Lord.
It was another scintillating New Zealand attack. They’re carving Ireland apart at breakneck speed, and this looks ominous at the moment.
Ruben Love converts from centre-right.
2 hrs ago
8:36AM
20′ – NZ 7-0 IRE: Ireland under all kinds of pressure and Sam Prendergast knocks on a Kiwi pass on his own 5′. Nic Berry reckons he made an honest attempt to catch the ball, so it’ll be a scrum to New Zealand as things stand.
More bad news for Ireland: Ciarán Frawley, on for Jimmy O’Brien (HIA), now has a head injury of his own after he scrambled to gather a Ruben Love kick deep into the Irish 22′.
Bundee Aki is on. Honestly, I haven’t a clue what Ireland’s backline looks like at this particular moment.
2 hrs ago
8:38AM
21′ – NZ 7-0 IRE:Penalty New Zealand just outside the Irish 5′. Desperate defence by Ireland, and the Kiwis opt for a scrum.
Big, big chance for the hosts with Ireland’s backline already significantly reshuffled due to the injuries to O’Brien and his replacement Frawley.
O’Brien will return soon, however, having passed his HIA.
23′ – TRY FOR NEW ZEALAND! NZ 14-0 IRE: Ardie Savea, directly off the back of the scrum that he called from the penalty!
Tadhg Beirne way too late to break from the scrum, and Savea crashes over past a couple of Irish bodies off first phase. Poor awareness by Ireland, and as Love again converts from centre-right, this is looking very bad indeed.
28′ – NZ 14-0 IRE: New Zealand go close again, and Ireland are penalised on their own line — but foul-play referee has spotted a dangerous clear-out by Luke Jacobson on Josh van der Flier.
To be honest, that should be a red card on review. Reckless and stupid by openside Jacobson, who catches Van der Flier on the top of the head with his shoulder and elbow as he swan-dives over a ruck. No intent to wrap at all.
Penalty Ireland.
2 hrs ago
8:52AM
31′ – NZ 14-0 IRE: Ireland finally cut loose in transition but they blow an opportunity in the Kiwi 22′. Hugo Keenan with the break but Jordie Barrett races across to track Robert Baloucoune outside him. Gibson-Park fumbles as Keenan bodies the ball back on the ground, and Prendergast offloads straight into touch under pressure.
Ireland unable to take advantage of New Zealand being down a man, and Luke Jacobson’s yellow will remain a yellow as the bunker have identified some mitigation. I dunno!
33′ – TRY FOR IRELAND! NZ 14-7 IRE: Jack Conan powers over!
Ireland’s lineout in the Kiwi 22′ yields their first score. A typical, close-range Irish attack and they strike back at last. Great stuff — New Zealand had no answers.
Prendergast converts from centre-left, and Ireland are somehow back in this game!
36′ – TRY FOR NEW ZEALAND! NZ 21-7 IRE: Wow, it’s one of the worst tries you’ll ever see Ireland concede. Will Jordan!
Stu McCloskey’s pass inside his 22′ finds neither Hugo Kennan nor Jimmy O’Brien as Ireland completely botch their shape. Jordan scoops up the loose ball about 10 metres from the line and walks it in!
That’s astoundingly bad by Ireland, no sooner than they had gained a foothold in the game. I’ve honestly never seen the like of it.
Love converts and the Kiwis’ lead is back out to 14.
2 hrs ago
8:59AM
38′ – NZ 21-7 IRE: Ruben Love with the 50-22′ after Rob Baloucoune’s poor knock-on on halfway.
Their try aside, this has been abysmal by Ireland, admittedly while under huge pressure against a superior side.
39′ – TRY FOR NEW ZEALAND! NZ 28-7 IRE: Replacement Asafo Aumua, on for the injured Codie Taylor, has enough strength to finish past McCloskey after a couple of penalty infringements by Ireland.
Love converts again.
This is getting ugly. Shades of Paris in the Six Nations, really, if not worse.
45′ – TRY FOR IRELAND! NZ 28-14 IRE: Joe McCarthy!
A bright start to the second half by Ireland, who come out like they had a rocket lit under them at the break.
Prendergast dinks over the afters following McCarthy’s burrowed finish under the posts. It came from a strong, sustained attack by the visitors.
1 hr ago
9:38AM
54′ – NZ 28-14 IRE: New Zealand have put the squeeze on since Ireland’s second try. Five-metre attacking penalty for the hosts, and they kick to touch.
56′ – TRY FOR NEW ZEALAND! NZ 35-14 IRE: Damian McKenzie scores from short range as New Zealand’s relentlessness and persistence pays off.
Love, who came close a phase earlier, knocks over the conversion, and the All Blacks lead by 21. You can probably move on with your morning, to be honest.
63′ – Try for Ireland! NZ 35-21 IRE: Hugo Keenan gives Ireland a sliver of a chance.
The fullback crosses in the left-hand corner after Sam Prendergast, whose massive line-kick had earned Ireland a five-metre lineout from behind halfway, floats the pass in his direction.
Good Irish try, and Prendergast splits the posts from the left-hand touchline.
1 hr ago
10:00AM
72′ – NZ 35-21 IRE: Ireland withstand a 26-phase All Blacks attack and win a penalty near their own 5′ for a dangerous New Zealand clear-out — but Prendergast misses touch with his penalty. Ah, Jaysus.
In fairness, he went for broke, and Ireland need to. Time running out to launch the most unlikely of comebacks.
1 hr ago
10:03AM
75′ – NZ 35-21 IRE: Peach of a crossfielder by Prendergast to Frawley but Will Jordan makes the tackle inside his own 22′ and wins a penalty as Frawley rolls one time too many to try to protect the ball while isolated.
New Zealand, with six tries to Ireland’s three, outclass the visitors in a statement victory at Eden Park.
1 hr ago
10:13AM
That's all, folks!
Thanks for joining us for these live updates. There’ll be reaction from Murray Kinsella in Auckland, Ciarán Kennedy and myself, including a quick-hit pod between Murr and Ciarán later today.
A chastening defeat in the end as Ireland’s summer ends on a low. But sure listen, at least you still have a full Saturday ahead, right?
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New Zealand 40-21 Ireland, Nations Championship
Morning, everyone! It’s an early one, but hope you’re feeling fresh.
Ireland face the New Zealand at Fortress Eden Park from 8:10am, hoping to end the All Blacks’ legendary 32-year, 52-Test unbeaten run in Auckland.
Both sides have earned maximum returns from their respective Nations Championship campaigns so far, with Ireland edging out Australia in Sydney and battling past Japan in Newcastle, while Dave Rennie’s seemingly resurgent Kiwis have defeated France and Italy.
Today’s hosts are roughly 11-point favourites to beat Ireland, which is a rare enough margin for Farrell’s men these days.
It’s Gavan Casey with you here, and I’ll bring you a blow-by-blow account of the action — or near enough to it — if you can’t make it to a TV (Virgin Media).
It’s around 14 degrees Celsius and cloudy in Auckland, but it looks set to remain dry there this evening as New Zealand seek a fourth straight victory over Farrell’s Ireland.
New Zealand have won the last three meetings between the sides stemming back to the famous World Cup quarter-final of 2023.
The Kiwis have beaten Ireland by double-digit scores in the teams’ last two November meetings, while only eight visiting teams (two of them draws) have gotten within seven points of the All Blacks at Eden Park in their last 52 Tests at Eden Park.
France were the last side to win there in 1994, when they became the first northern hemisphere country to win a Test series of any kind against New Zealand. They also remained the last side to win a series on Kiwi soil until Ireland reset the record books in 2022.
The question is, can Ireland do it again in this one-off Test?
Poll Results:
A reminder of your lineups for today’s encounter. Australia’s Nic Berry will be your man in the middle, also.
Jimmy O’Brien gets a big start on the left wing, while the New Zealand-born Sean Jansen, who qualifies for Ireland through two of his grandparents, is set to earn his second Ireland cap off the bench.
Robert Baloucoune is also back on the right wing for Ireland.
Dave Rennie has picked Josh Moorby for his first Test start for the All Blacks — the superb Hurricanes finisher replaces the injured Leroy Carter.
NEW ZEALAND: Damian McKenzie; Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Josh Moorby; Ruben Love, Cam Roigard; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax; Josh Lord, Patrick Tuipulotu; Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Ardie Savea (captain).
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Anton Segner, Peter Lakai, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke.
IRELAND: Hugo Keenan; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jimmy O’Brien; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Tom O’Toole, Dan Sheehan (captain), Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Thomas Clarkson, Nick Timoney, Sean Jansen, Craig Casey, Ciarán Frawley, Bundee Aki.
Referee: Nic Berry [Australia].
Murray Kinsella is at Eden Park as we speak: he’ll have your match report and typically brilliant analysis. Murray and Ciarán Kennedy, who is on colour-piece duty, will also have a snap-reaction podcast for The 42 subscribers.
I’m doing the liveblog and player ratings. Oh, joy!
Let’s hope for plenty of Irish 7s and 8s at the very least.
1′ – NZ 0-0 IRE: A fairly standard Haka by New Zealand which wasn’t challenged in any way by Ireland, who remained on the halfway line. A school choir nailed both anthems beforehand.
And Sam Prendergast gets us underway as Nic Berry sounds his whistle.
A shot at history for Ireland, here we go!
3′ – NZ 0-0 IRE: Scrum to Ireland about eight metres inside the Kiwi half after Jordie Barrett’s searching kick goes dead 60 yards downfield.
Ireland lock out the scrum but New Zealand defend stoutly and double-team Garry Ringrose with the choke tackle. So, scrum New Zealand inside their own half.
Great linespeed by the hosts, who shut Ireland down decisively there.
Tyrel Lomax, meanwhile, is hobbling off, holding his left quad. Could be a cut, actually? Fletcher Newell on at tighthead for the moment anyway.
6′ – NZ 0-0 IRE: A sizzling All Black attack is thwarted near his own five-metre line by Tadhg Beirne!
The blindside knocks back a Kiwi pass in open play and Jimmy O’Brien exits to touch.
New Zealand apply more attacking pressure but Garry Ringrose counter-rucks and Jimmy O’Brien wins the turnover penalty. Good scramble D by Ireland!
9′ – NZ 0-0 IRE: Ireland’s attack from the penalty again goes nowhere, with Prendergast mis-connecting with an up-and-under and Josh Moorby beating Hugo Keenan in the contest, just.
New Zealand’s defence comfortable and Ireland looking one-dimensional in possession thus far.
13′ – NZ 0-0 IRE: Ireland reach the Kiwi 22′ for the first time but James Ryan plays the ball after a knock-on by Jack Conan, I think, and concedes the penalty. Better, though, in the build-up.
Jimmy O’Brien off for a HIA, Ciarán Frawley on.
16′ – TRY FOR NEW ZEALAND! NZ 7-0 IRE: Patrick Tuipoluto with the finish after beautiful, soft hands by lock Josh Lord.
It was another scintillating New Zealand attack. They’re carving Ireland apart at breakneck speed, and this looks ominous at the moment.
Ruben Love converts from centre-right.
20′ – NZ 7-0 IRE: Ireland under all kinds of pressure and Sam Prendergast knocks on a Kiwi pass on his own 5′. Nic Berry reckons he made an honest attempt to catch the ball, so it’ll be a scrum to New Zealand as things stand.
More bad news for Ireland: Ciarán Frawley, on for Jimmy O’Brien (HIA), now has a head injury of his own after he scrambled to gather a Ruben Love kick deep into the Irish 22′.
Bundee Aki is on. Honestly, I haven’t a clue what Ireland’s backline looks like at this particular moment.
21′ – NZ 7-0 IRE:Penalty New Zealand just outside the Irish 5′. Desperate defence by Ireland, and the Kiwis opt for a scrum.
Big, big chance for the hosts with Ireland’s backline already significantly reshuffled due to the injuries to O’Brien and his replacement Frawley.
O’Brien will return soon, however, having passed his HIA.
23′ – TRY FOR NEW ZEALAND! NZ 14-0 IRE: Ardie Savea, directly off the back of the scrum that he called from the penalty!
Tadhg Beirne way too late to break from the scrum, and Savea crashes over past a couple of Irish bodies off first phase. Poor awareness by Ireland, and as Love again converts from centre-right, this is looking very bad indeed.
28′ – NZ 14-0 IRE: New Zealand go close again, and Ireland are penalised on their own line — but foul-play referee has spotted a dangerous clear-out by Luke Jacobson on Josh van der Flier.
To be honest, that should be a red card on review. Reckless and stupid by openside Jacobson, who catches Van der Flier on the top of the head with his shoulder and elbow as he swan-dives over a ruck. No intent to wrap at all.
Penalty Ireland.
31′ – NZ 14-0 IRE: Ireland finally cut loose in transition but they blow an opportunity in the Kiwi 22′. Hugo Keenan with the break but Jordie Barrett races across to track Robert Baloucoune outside him. Gibson-Park fumbles as Keenan bodies the ball back on the ground, and Prendergast offloads straight into touch under pressure.
Ireland unable to take advantage of New Zealand being down a man, and Luke Jacobson’s yellow will remain a yellow as the bunker have identified some mitigation. I dunno!
33′ – TRY FOR IRELAND! NZ 14-7 IRE: Jack Conan powers over!
Ireland’s lineout in the Kiwi 22′ yields their first score. A typical, close-range Irish attack and they strike back at last. Great stuff — New Zealand had no answers.
Prendergast converts from centre-left, and Ireland are somehow back in this game!
36′ – TRY FOR NEW ZEALAND! NZ 21-7 IRE: Wow, it’s one of the worst tries you’ll ever see Ireland concede. Will Jordan!
Stu McCloskey’s pass inside his 22′ finds neither Hugo Kennan nor Jimmy O’Brien as Ireland completely botch their shape. Jordan scoops up the loose ball about 10 metres from the line and walks it in!
That’s astoundingly bad by Ireland, no sooner than they had gained a foothold in the game. I’ve honestly never seen the like of it.
Love converts and the Kiwis’ lead is back out to 14.
38′ – NZ 21-7 IRE: Ruben Love with the 50-22′ after Rob Baloucoune’s poor knock-on on halfway.
Their try aside, this has been abysmal by Ireland, admittedly while under huge pressure against a superior side.
39′ – TRY FOR NEW ZEALAND! NZ 28-7 IRE: Replacement Asafo Aumua, on for the injured Codie Taylor, has enough strength to finish past McCloskey after a couple of penalty infringements by Ireland.
Love converts again.
This is getting ugly. Shades of Paris in the Six Nations, really, if not worse.
A final Irish attack of the half ends with a New Zealand jackal penalty, Luke Jacobson with the intervention.
Ireland totally outclassed and outgunned by the All Blacks, who have scored four tries to their visitors’ one.
A tough half-time ahead for Andy Farrell and those Ireland players.
41′ – NZ 28-7 IRE:Ruben Love gets us back underway at Eden Park. Ireland in a huge hole.
45′ – TRY FOR IRELAND! NZ 28-14 IRE: Joe McCarthy!
A bright start to the second half by Ireland, who come out like they had a rocket lit under them at the break.
Prendergast dinks over the afters following McCarthy’s burrowed finish under the posts. It came from a strong, sustained attack by the visitors.
54′ – NZ 28-14 IRE: New Zealand have put the squeeze on since Ireland’s second try. Five-metre attacking penalty for the hosts, and they kick to touch.
A chance to kill it, really.
56′ – TRY FOR NEW ZEALAND! NZ 35-14 IRE: Damian McKenzie scores from short range as New Zealand’s relentlessness and persistence pays off.
Love, who came close a phase earlier, knocks over the conversion, and the All Blacks lead by 21. You can probably move on with your morning, to be honest.
63′ – Try for Ireland! NZ 35-21 IRE: Hugo Keenan gives Ireland a sliver of a chance.
The fullback crosses in the left-hand corner after Sam Prendergast, whose massive line-kick had earned Ireland a five-metre lineout from behind halfway, floats the pass in his direction.
Good Irish try, and Prendergast splits the posts from the left-hand touchline.
72′ – NZ 35-21 IRE: Ireland withstand a 26-phase All Blacks attack and win a penalty near their own 5′ for a dangerous New Zealand clear-out — but Prendergast misses touch with his penalty. Ah, Jaysus.
In fairness, he went for broke, and Ireland need to. Time running out to launch the most unlikely of comebacks.
75′ – NZ 35-21 IRE: Peach of a crossfielder by Prendergast to Frawley but Will Jordan makes the tackle inside his own 22′ and wins a penalty as Frawley rolls one time too many to try to protect the ball while isolated.
79′ – Try for New Zealand! NZ 40-21 IRE: Anton Lienert-Brown wraps it up for the hosts after a 13-phase attack.
McKenzie wide right with the conversion from the left-hand side.
New Zealand, with six tries to Ireland’s three, outclass the visitors in a statement victory at Eden Park.
Thanks for joining us for these live updates. There’ll be reaction from Murray Kinsella in Auckland, Ciarán Kennedy and myself, including a quick-hit pod between Murr and Ciarán later today.
A chastening defeat in the end as Ireland’s summer ends on a low. But sure listen, at least you still have a full Saturday ahead, right?
Catch you for the next one. Take care, all!
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