Six-Try All Blacks Run Riot As Dave Rennie’s Men Extend Historic Eden Park Streak Against Ireland

The All Blacks extended their winning streak at fortress Eden Park to 53 matches with a commanding 40-21, six-try victory over a disappointing Ireland in the Nations Championship.

Tries from Patrick Tuipulotu, Ardie Savea, Will Jordan, Asafo Aumua, Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown, combined with a flawless kicking display from Ruben Love, sealed an emphatic win as Dave Rennie maintained his unbeaten start as All Blacks head coach.

It means New Zealand’s unbeaten streak at Eden Park has now stood since 1994 (when France last beat them there), stretching to 53 Test matches.

The opening exchanges featured slick attacking rugby from both sides, but equally impressive defensive efforts ensured neither team could establish a meaningful advantage.

Whenever Ireland attempted to build through the phases inside the New Zealand half, handling errors repeatedly stalled their momentum and prevented them from capitalising on promising field position.

The breakthrough came in the 15th minute of a physical, high-tempo contest as the All Blacks surged into the Irish 22. A well-timed short pass found Patrick Tuipulotu, who ran a superb line before brushing aside the final defender to score the opening try.

Love added the conversion to hand the hosts a 7-0 lead.

As the first half approached its midway point, New Zealand piled on the pressure, with Ireland clinging on as the All Blacks shifted through the gears and intensified their attacking assault.

After the hosts were awarded a scrum just metres from the try line, the incomparable Ardie Savea picked up from the base and powered over with immense determination, shrugging off the desperate challenges of Jamison Gibson-Park, Sam Prendergast and Jimmy O’Brien.

Love’s second successful conversion stretched New Zealand’s lead to 14-0 as the hosts tightened their grip on the contest.

Luke Jacobson was shown a yellow card in the 28th minute after his shoulder made direct contact with Josh van der Flier’s head during a dangerous cleanout.

Ireland finally made their numerical advantage count in the 33rd minute, patiently working through the phases before Jack Conan crashed over for their opening try.

Prendergast added the conversion to reduce the deficit to 14-7.

Just as Ireland appeared to have found a way back into the contest, they handed New Zealand another opportunity with a costly error inside their own 22. A wayward pass was gleefully intercepted by Will Jordan, who sprinted away untouched to score.

Ireland’s misery deepened moments later when Asafo Aumua powered his way over, using his strength to stretch out and dot down New Zealand’s fourth try of the half.

Love remained flawless from the kicking tee as New Zealand took a commanding 28-7 lead into the half-time break.

HALF-TIME: NEW ZEALAND 28-7 IRELAND

Ireland emerged after the break with renewed intensity and determination, immediately showing their intent to fight back.

Patiently working through the phases and keeping possession tight among the forwards, Joe McCarthy eventually powered over, using impressive leg drive to force his way beneath the posts and cut the deficit to 28-14.

However, Ireland’s resilient defence was finally broken again in the 55th minute as the All Blacks regained control. Patient phase play and slick handling created space for Damian McKenzie, who gathered the ball and dived over for New Zealand’s fifth try.

Ireland refused to surrender and continued to display admirable resolve, working their way into the All Blacks’ 22 and applying sustained pressure. After patiently building through multiple phases, the visitors shifted play to the blindside, where Prendergast delivered a superb floated pass for Hugo Keenan to cross unopposed.

The successful conversion reduced the deficit to 35-21 as the final quarter of the match approached.

Anton Lienert-Brown, introduced as a late replacement, put the seal on the victory by crossing for the All Blacks’ sixth try in the 79th minute, capping an emphatic performance and condemning Ireland to a comprehensive defeat.