The All Blacks produced a mesmeric all-round performance to thump a poor Ireland team 46-14 in the second World Cup quarterfinal at the Ajinomoto Stadium on Saturday.
There was to be no repeat of Ireland’s 2016 and 2018 victories, with Steve Hansen’s side far superior in virtually all facets of play.
The result sees New Zealand extend their winning run at the tournament to 18-matches, with their last loss coming against France in the infamous quarterfinal of 2007. They will face England in the last-four next weekend after the latter thrashed Australia 40-16 earlier in the day.
It also means Ireland will need to wait at least another four years for another chance to break their quarterfinal hoodoo.
The Irish struggled to exit their own half for much of the first-forty. When they did get opportunities to play in the right areas, they were let down by flabbergasting inaccuracy and became suffocated by the All Blacks’ defence.
Johnny Sexton and Connor Murray were well off their best, with their continued efforts to spark something snuffed out time and again.
Ireland’s day was perhaps summed up best when, in the 67th-minute, a probing grubber by substitute Joey Carbery was fumbled on the tryline by Robbie Henshaw, to the utter bemusement of Rory McIlroy watching on from the stands. To his credit, the Leinster centre did score a minute later, not that it mattered in the context of the contest.
New Zealand attacked with patience and intensity. Their decision-making was top-drawer, with Aaron Smith enjoying a standout afternoon at the back of his pack.
The Kiwis shot out to a 17-0 lead after the first quarter courtesy of two sniping Smith scores and a Richie Mo’unga penalty.
A loose pass by Sexton was kicked ahead by Mo’unga before Beauden Barrett finished off as the men in black assumed a commanding 22-0 lead at the break.
The All Blacks picked up where they left off in the second-half. Codie Taylor, Matt Todd, George Bridge and Jordi Barrett all dotted down to seal a comprehensive win, with Henshaw’s effort and a late penalty try mere consolation.
Scores
New Zealand – 46
Tries: Smith (2), B Barrett, Taylor, Todd, Bridge, J Barrett
Cons: Mo’unga (3)
Pens: Mo’unga
Yellow card: Matt Todd
Ireland – 14
Tries: Henshaw, Penalty Try
Cons: Carbery
Teams
New Zealand – 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Ardie Savea, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Subs: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Ot fa Tuungafasi, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Matt Todd, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Sonny Bill Williams, 23 Jordie Barrett.
Ireland – 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 James Ryan, 4 Iain Henderson, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rory Best (c), 1 Cain Healy.
Subs: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Andrew Porter, 19 Tadhg Beirne, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Jordan Larmour.
Written by Shaun Goosen for Hollywoodbets
