Auckland (AFP) – Coach Dave Rennie said he was "really rapt" after New Zealand unfurled a commanding first-half performance to beat Ireland 40-21 on Saturday and extend their remarkable unbeaten streak at Eden Park to 53 matches.
Issued on: 18/07/2026 - 12:58
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The All Blacks scored four of their six tries in the first spell to lead 28-7 at the interval, setting up a third win from three matches in the inaugural Nations Championship.Playing their final game of the season, Ireland failed to mount a sustained assault on the home side's 32-year-old record in Auckland,They paid for an error-riddled start in which they missed too many tackles and made fundamental handling mistakes.New coach Rennie described New Zealand's performance as "clinical" and an improvement on their wins over France and Italy as they went three-from-three in the Nations Championship."Yeah, really rapt. They're such a good side, Ireland, and we asked a lot of questions of them," Rennie told reporters."I thought the balance of our game was really good tonight. Our big men carried, we were a little bit more direct and there was smarter kicking."They came here with a lot of confidence and with a very experienced squad who play a lot of footy together. We're quite a new group."Ireland improved as the match progressed but couldn't add to this month's Nations Championship wins over the Wallabies and Japan in Australia.Patrick Tuipulotu scored New Zealand's opening try, bursting onto a short pass from fellow lock Josh Lord.'The first punch'Captain Ardie Savea doubled New Zealand's lead to 14-0 when he stormed straight across from the back of a scrum, carrying two defenders with him."I think it's all been in the mindset," said the No.8 Savea."We talked about throwing the first punch, and you know we got a lead in the first five minutes, so that was a start."You've got to give credit to the Irish -- they're real quality. But we're stoked to get the win."The hosts were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes when flanker Luke Jacobson was shown a yellow card after a dangerous ruck cleanout.Ireland capitalised when back-row forward Jack Conan powered over from close range.
