Ireland suffered a crushing 40-21 defeat as New Zealand stretched their remarkable unbeaten run at Eden Park to 53 Test matches in round three of the inaugural Nations Championship.
Following unconvincing bonus-point wins over Australia and Japan, Andy Farrell’s side were bidding to complete a clean sweep of the Southern Hemisphere series.
But they were outclassed on a punishing evening in Auckland as first-half tries from Patrick Tuipulotu, Ardie Savea, Will Jordan and Asafo Aumua put the All Blacks in control.
Jack Conan claimed Ireland’s only score of the opening period after New Zealand flanker Luke Jacobson escaped with just a yellow card for a dangerous clearout on Josh van der Flier, while Joe McCarthy and Hugo Keenan went over in the second half.
Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown added further scores for New Zealand and fly-half Ruben Love kicked five conversions as they maintained their perfect start to the competition following victories over France and Italy.
PA
