Two tries: Sonny Bill Williams
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New Zealand bounced back from last week's close call in style with an impressive 60-0 hammering of Ireland in Hamilton on Saturday.
After the heartbreakingly narrow defeat of last week, Ireland were no match for the effervescent All Blacks, who scored four tries in the first 25 minutes and looked dangerous at every turn. Dominated at the tackle - most unlike the Irish - and shredded out wide, the Irish just could not muster the spirit or precision of last week and were plain annihilated.
Perhaps the most satisfying aspect for the ABs was the nilling, however. Tries have never been a problem for this generation, but the fact that Ireland not only didn't score, they had only one kick at goal and barely once got close to crossing the whitewash will be a source of immense pride to Richie McCaw and his men. Ireland's most promising-looking first-half attack ended in a mistake and an All Black try. The overall penalty count against the hosts was ridiculously low.
Within seven minutes New Zealand had the advantage, Sam Cane finishing off a sweeping move out right. On a quarter of an hour Aaron Cruden produced a dart and a brilliant offload to put Sonny Bill Williams through the gap for the second. On 20 minutes it was the Cruden-Williams axis again, this time on a well-timed switch. And on 24 minutes it was an Irish error - Brian O'Driscoll spilling an ill-directed switch pass from Paddy Wallace - that gifted the ball to Cruden. Cruden scorched away and the two Smiths, Conrad and Ben, combined on straight lines and soft hands to send Ben away in the corner. It was all that simple, all that devastating.
The loss of Cruden to injury - a possible worry for both the Chiefs and the All Blacks - stymied the attacking rhythm for a while but did little to change the domination. Beauden Barrett landed a penalty with the final act of the first half, with the penultimate act being a harsh yellow dished out to Rob Kearney for what looked to be a legitimate interception attempt.
Ireland thus spent the first ten minutes of the second half a man down and paid for it with two more tries, one a series of three inside offloads finished off by Cane under the posts, the other a magnificent 50m finish from Hosea Gear. Barrett could only convert one, but that left Ireland trailing 41-0 after 50 minutes; New Zealand were good value for their near point-a-minute ratio and the Irish body count was rising.
Kearney's return changed nothing. Cane slipped a super ball to Messam on an super line for what was New Zealand's 100th-ever try against Ireland. Barrett's indifferent form with the boot continued as a comparatively easy kick bounced off the uprights.
Williams showed a rare glimpse of his complete skill set with a well-judged opportunistic grubber deep for Israel Dagg to run in the eighth try on the hour mark, this time Barrett converting.
New Zealand kept attacking, although some handling errors began to creep in. Ireland looked to move from deeper and deeper, presumably playing right into the hosts' hands. A handling error ten minutes from time and super delay of the pass from Barrett saw Adam Thomson run a direct line home for try number nine.
Ireland rallied hard, determined to get something out of the game, but there was no change to be had. In minutes 79, Keven Mealamu's well-timed charge on Eoin Reddan saw the half-back spill the ball and that was that. Firmly that.
Man of the match: Aaron Cruden was putting in a good claim for this until he went off after 25 minutes, Sonny Bill Williams dominated the centres, but it was Sam Cane whose domination in the loose created the space for his team-mates outside, and brace of tries gave his side a commanding lead.
Moment of the match: The fourth try. As exciting as it was clinical, it was curtains for Ireland after that.
Villain of the match: He reffed well, but for a really poor moment of judgement, referee Romain Poite gets this for the yellow card he dished out to Rob Kearney. Brian O'Driscoll called it 'ridiculous'. He was right.
The scorers:
For New Zealand:
Tries: Cane 2, Williams 2, B.Smith, Gear, Messam, Dagg, Thomson
Cons: Cruden 3, Barrett 3
Pens: Barrett
Yellow cards: Kearney,40, Ireland - deliberate knock-on
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Richie McCaw (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Brodie Retallick, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Beauden Barrett, 22 Tamati Ellison.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (c), 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Dan Tuohy, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Declan Fitzpatrick, 18 Donncha O'Callaghan, 19 Chris Henry, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Ronan O'Gara, 22 Andrew Trimble.
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Pascal Gauzere (France), James Leckie (Australia)
Television match official: Matt Goddard (Australia)
Comments
KiwiJoe says...
Don,t know if anyone else noticed but that looked like a good old "hiding" from where I,m standing.
Ireland will need to get better.
Posted 16:50 24th June 2012
KiwiJoe says...
Don,t know if anyone else noticed but that looked like a good old "hiding" from where I,m standing.
Ireland will need to get better.
Posted 16:46 24th June 2012
carpelone says...
@ 7ton
Could not see that game, so I can not comment, but I am inclined to trust you, if you say so. I am not shy of acknowledging lucky episodes. I prefer to comment on the positives for New Zealand i.e. new players are really stepping into Test Rugby boots. I am a fan of Dan Carter, but the first 20 minutes of Cruden were immense. SBW's offloads are now functional to the team plays. So well done, I look forward to an untertaining SR and 4Ns.
Posted 16:24 24th June 2012
binary20012081 says...
@Headhunter99 "simples look at the number of imports playing for the Irish provinces"
What absolute crap are you talking about?
The Leinster and Ulster teams for the Heinken Cup final Leinster had 19 Irish players out of the 23, and Richardt Strauss and Isa Nacewa will both be eligible to play for Ireland this year, and the Ulster squad had 18 Irish players out of the 23!!
Ireland lost because of several reasons:
1. The All Blacks are awesome.
2. Ireland¿s coaches and management is a complete farce, and has been for some time now.
3. Players are picked on reputation and not form.
4. Players don't play with the same pride as they do for the provincial team.
No surprise with the result for me as I taught this would happen in all three games since the Irish international team is a joke. That¿s my rant over.
Posted 16:15 24th June 2012
Headhunter99 says...
@ronanmeaghe - Hang my head in shame, how did I forget that thrashing from the tour of hell... selective memory.
You may have a point about the import numbers but I still feel playing in a league with no relegation helps the Irish sides cause..
Posted 15:33 24th June 2012
Trader2 says...
@anotherfarce says
"Yes I think that was a bad game for Ireland....." He THINKS it was a bad game for Ireland!! I am not sure if he should think really just stick to what he does best - bash the refs.
Posted 15:08 24th June 2012
tha_mai says...
lacroix - did you even watch the game? Your ongoing bitterness, on and on re McCaw - get over it!. . . go on, call him a cheat if that'll make you feel better!
note the Australian (not NZ) media not only picked him in their international team of the week today, but also awarded him Player of the Week.
Posted 14:25 24th June 2012
BackingBlackNZ says...
This was a very complete performance from The All Blacks, probably their best in some time - which is all the more impressive, given the amount of young NZ players who were given an opportunity to shine this week.
Cruden, McCaw, Cane, Conrad Smith and Sonny Bill Williams were all outstanding. I sincerely hope that SBW sticks with rugby, as he is really starting to fulfill his potential at the moment. Nonu is going to have to fight very hard to regain that no. 12 jersey.
Regarding the Irish, I liked a lot of what I was seeing of their ball distribution and running rugby, but there can be no doubt that they were categorically outplayed in all facets of the game. As others have said, I think they played their big game last week, and didn't have much in the tank for this week. The time is probably right for an injection of young talent into the Irish test team, and it is time for some of the old guard to realise that their time has passed.
Lastly, I really don't understand some people's claims that the ref was terrible, and the ABs cheated... I admit that I don't think that the Irish player should have been sent off for the attempted intercept - but sometimes, you just need to acknowledge that one team was demonstrably better than the other on the night.
Posted 12:53 24th June 2012
powerplay says...
@blametheref
A divided team, is always a conquered team. Sounds like you need someone who can unite the nation and not play club favourites. I have always thought that the greatest weapon the Irish have was the Irish spirit. The never give up, fight against all odds, one. You would be in a much better position in understanding what the team needs, and if youre right re: a kiwi coach, then im sure there are plenty. I think the most recent kiwi coach to depart was ex-baby black coach from last year. Apparently every year, whether successful or not, the baby blacks coach changes every year. Another idea, might be sending someone from the homeland to nz and do like a 'apprenticeship' there, and then go back to Ireland to pass on what hes learnt?
Would a Aussie suffice too, you think?
@agardiner22
Joe might be the right man, look what Jake white has done in Auz..the brumbies were known to have players who thought they could run the show, down comes Jake, and presto...results!
Posted 11:44 24th June 2012
sandal says...
@kpe12
I would like to defend Ian Smith. You say he was an "average ex cricket player". I listened to cricket commentary from around the world and he was often judged by non-Kiwi commentators to be the best wicketkeeper in the world. Those who witnessed any of the periods when his form lapsed might be surprised by that. But he was, at the very least, an outstanding keeper.
Posted 11:17 24th June 2012
porridge_time says...
lacroix says... not sure how you can deduce that McCaw had a another poor match. He was in my opinion outstanding at number eight combining well with Messam and Cane.
Posted 10:37 24th June 2012
ronanmeagher says...
@Headhunter99
No, the biggest thrashing was Australia versus England 1998 ( 76 - 0 to the Ozzies).
Regarding "All" of the imports in the Irish provinces, Leinster had 2 non-Irish qualified players for the H-Cup final this year - Brad Thorn & Isa nacewa. So not sure your argument stands-up
Posted 10:01 24th June 2012
hellovanite says...
connaughtabu... All great ideas to influence change where change is needed, but it would still need to be tempered, you can't have all youth with no experience. Overall though I like how you are looking at the bigger picture.
Posted 09:48 24th June 2012
2EyedKiwi says...
@ IAMpunter. No disrespect to BOD at all. He was a fantastic player in his day, but his day is past.
Regarding being a twat - well, maybe I am. I'll own "priapismic", but "furburger" are his words. For those those that don't get it - google it.
My point is that I cannot comprehend when a losing captain makes fun of the situation. Anton Oliver used to do it (smiling and shoulder shrugging "its only a game") when the AB's lost under his charge, and Bobby Skinstad the same for the Saffas. Call me Old Skool, but smiling and laughing when losing? Umm, No....
Posted 09:39 24th June 2012
connaughtabu says...
Too scared to watch the match live, so listened to it on radio while I worked and cussed in the garden! Read everyone's posts (including those from the head-banging Kiwis - and why shouldn't they!) before I eventually built up the courage to look at it. A couple of observations, the ABs scored 9 tries, Ire none. Name any position and the Kiwi outplayed his opposite number, except perhaps for Cian Healy. Many of the Irish team are, will never be or are no longer test level players. Included here are poor old Paddy Wallace (he didn't play badly really, see below), Cronin (unless he moved to centre), McFadden, McLoughlin, D'arcy, and last but not least Brian O'Driscoll.
Once upon a time, BoD dazzled the ABs and terminated the AB career of at least one player with his pace and guile on the ball. Nowadays, his position on the field is just captain: he scored -29 in my analysis where you get +5 for an unassisted try to -3 for play leading to an opposition try. BoD missed tackles, kicked ball directly to opponents, passed without precision, drifted out of the defensive line (led to last try) and generally contributed nothing other than make the post-match interview.
Ireland is now ranked 8th in the world and is drifting down in free fall. Sure we may be OK with this, but then we should not be irritated by the triumphal posting by Kiwis, a country where rugby IS important. If we are not happy, then a few things must happen:
1) Kidney must be dismissed
2) BoD and the other oldies must be put out to pasture
3) Ireland must participate in the world rugby 7s competition and allow players to develop handling skills
4) Bring on players at an earlier age - the current U20 side should be fast-tracked into provincial sides and onto the International team.
Posted 08:45 24th June 2012
Headhunter99 says...
Being English and technically neutral this was an amazing match to watch. New Zealand were just fantastic, their ability to turn defence into attack so quickly is sublime.
Ireland looked very ordinary, I cannot think of one player who stood out. BOD was an invisable man, was Sexton even on the field.They were out thought and out muscled in every facet of the match.
Paul "the pundit" Wallace said that he couldn't understand how poor Ireland were given their Heineken performances... simples look at the number of imports playing for the Irish provinces.
I assume the IRFU will fire Kidney... this must be the worst hiding ever handed out to a tier 1 nation. Actually I wasn't neutral I cheered all the way for New Zealand.
Posted 08:36 24th June 2012
makemehappy says...
Nice to see a largely anonymous referee. At least therre's one positive for Ireland - the tour is over!
Posted 08:34 24th June 2012
lacroix says...
this result reveals the gulf - and shows what happened in last weeks close game was about AB mistakes , not indicative that ireland can really hope compete at this level. too many platyers who are great club level , and can hold their own in the 6N some of the time, but simply out of their depth versus wrld class opposition.
interesting to see Mccaw putting in another poor perfomance though.
Posted 08:27 24th June 2012
sandal says...
I admit I was wrong in my misgivings before the match. Gloriously wrong, in many ways!
I have never seen the All Blacks shoot out to a big early lead and sustain their performance like they did in this match. The players deserve to be recognised for one of the great performances. I feel sorry for Ireland, a good team whom I had honestly expected to win at least one test in this series.
One of the most pleasing aspects was the backline functioning so well despite all the changes. You would never have known that many of the combinations had never played together -- Weepu, Barrett, Williams, Ellison. Phenomenal.
I was very wrong about McCaw. Not only was he comfortable at No 8, he put in his best performance in many games and was a power in support of Cane. I had thought Cane had more growing to do, but his debut was the best in the 7 jersey since McCaw himself.
Messam appeared to be trying too hard in the first half, but settled in to an intelligent, beast-like game. What a combination of qualities! He might yet be a worthy successor to Collins and Kaino.
Romano was powerful and mature.
Barrett confirmed that he is not an international class goalkicker, and was so well protected and served by his forwards that his defence was never tested. But he played with some elan, reminiscent of a young Andrew Mehrtens. He had the good sense just to shovel the ball on to Sonny Bill and not attempt the razzle dazzle of Cruden. Williams should have silenced the critics.
They say you can play only as well as your opponents allow you to. But no other team has this skill level. The accuracy of the offloads, and the recipients' alertness to them, was extraordinary. An early offload by Whitelock had me roaring with astonishment. As for Cruden's feint left and offload right for that Williams try ...
The Irish tried to respond but their offload skills were not comparable.
Posted 07:55 24th June 2012
Rayz says...
Romano, Messam and Cane made outstanding contributions. In fact Romano and Whitelock (with Retallick backing up) is the perfect locking combo.
My only question...why did the AB selectors stop there. They should've blooded young prop Ben Tameifuna as well. These young guys all seem to be doing (and wanting to do) the business.
Posted 07:54 24th June 2012