All-Blacks too good for plucky Ireland in first Test in Auckland

A second try from Gary Ringrose could not save Ireland from defeat on Saturday
Author: Chris BrennanPublished 2nd Jul 2022

Ireland fell to an irresistible New Zealand showing in the first test of their series with the All-Blacks winning 42-19 in Auckland.

The hosts ran in six tries over the piece, four of them in a blistering 17-minute first half spell.

That was an emphatic response to Keith Earls' score.

Both sides added two tries after the interval - Ireland's coming courtesy of Ringrose and Aki.

The series now moves onto Dunedin where New Zealand will look to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.

New Zealand: J Barrett; S Reece, R Ioane, Q Tupaea, L Fainga'anuku; B Barrett, Smith; Bower, Taylor, Tu'ungafasi, Retallick, Whitelock; S Barrett, Kane (capt), Savea.

Replacements: Taukei'aho, Tu'inukuafe, Ta'avao, Sowakula, Papalii, Christie, Mo'unga, Ennor.

Ireland: Keenan; Earls, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; Sexton (capt), Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, Beirne, Ryan; O'Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris.

Replacements: Heffernan, O'Toole, Healy, Treadwell, Conan, Murray, Carbery, Aki.