New Zealand 40–21 Ireland: match report & highlights

Full-time: New Zealand 40 – 21 Ireland

New Zealand dominated Ireland in a Nations Championship clash, with the All Blacks establishing control early and maintaining their advantage throughout. Patrick Tuipulotu opened the scoring in the first quarter, and the hosts continued to build momentum through tries from Ardie Savea and Will Jordan. Ireland showed some fight when Jack Conan crossed the line, but New Zealand's relentless attack proved too much, with Asafo Aumua extending the lead before halftime to give the All Blacks a commanding twenty-one-point advantage at the break.

The second half saw flashes of Irish resilience as Joe McCarthy scored shortly after the restart, followed by Hugo Keenan's effort, but New Zealand refused to relent. Damian McKenzie added another try in the fifty-sixth minute, and despite Ireland's attempts to claw back into the contest, the All Blacks' attacking prowess was simply too potent. Anton Lienert-Brown's late try in the seventy-ninth minute sealed a convincing victory, highlighting New Zealand's superior execution and clinical finishing in what was a one-sided encounter at the Nations Championship.

Key moments

• 79' 79' Try: Anton Lienert-Brown (New Zealand) — New Zealand 40 – 21 Ireland
• 63' 63' Conversion: Sam Prendergast (Ireland) — New Zealand 35 – 21 Ireland
• 63' 63' Try: Hugo Keenan (Ireland) — New Zealand 35 – 19 Ireland
• 57' 57' Conversion: Ruben Love (New Zealand) — New Zealand 35 – 14 Ireland
• 56' 56' Try: Damian McKenzie (New Zealand) — New Zealand 33 – 14 Ireland
• 45' 45' Conversion: Sam Prendergast (Ireland) — New Zealand 28 – 14 Ireland
• 45' 45' Try: Joe McCarthy (Ireland) — New Zealand 28 – 12 Ireland
• 40' 40' Conversion: Ruben Love (New Zealand) — New Zealand 28 – 7 Ireland
• 39' 39' Try: Asafo Aumua (New Zealand) — New Zealand 26 – 7 Ireland
• 36' 36' Conversion: Ruben Love (New Zealand) — New Zealand 21 – 7 Ireland
• 35' 35' Try: Will Jordan (New Zealand) — New Zealand 19 – 7 Ireland
• 34' 34' Conversion: Sam Prendergast (Ireland) — New Zealand 14 – 7 Ireland
• 33' 33' Try: Jack Conan (Ireland) — New Zealand 14 – 5 Ireland
• 25' 25' Conversion: Ruben Love (New Zealand) — New Zealand 14 – 0 Ireland
• 24' 24' Try: Ardie Savea (New Zealand) — New Zealand 12 – 0 Ireland
• 15' 15' Conversion: Ruben Love (New Zealand) — New Zealand 7 – 0 Ireland
• 15' 15' Try: Patrick Tuipulotu (New Zealand) — New Zealand 5 – 0 Ireland

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Highlights