Nations Championship - New Zealand 40-21 Ireland: Ruthless All Blacks prove too strong for off-colour visitors at Eden Park

18.07.2026, 12:55 skysports.com

A ruthless All Blacks display ensured they will end their home block of rugby's inaugural Nations Championship with three wins from three, after emphatically beating Ireland 40-21 at Eden Park.

With Ireland shorn of 12 players through injury, their performance left a lot to be desired, with their attack particularly poor and lacking in zip or threat.

Defensively Andy Farrell's side also conceded six tries, with lock Patrick Tuipulotu, No 8 Ardie Savea, wing Will Jordan, hooker Asafo Aumua, full-back Damian McKenzie and replacement Anton Lienert-Brown all crossing for New Zealand, who were fortunate not to lose flanker Luke Jacobson to a first-half red card for a dangerous clearout.

Ireland scored three tries through No 8 Jack Conan, lock Joe McCarthy and full-back Hugo Keenan, narrowing to 14-7 late in the first half, and within 14 points twice in the second, but they couldn't grab a fourth score to at least leave with a bonus-point.

New Zealand - Tries: Tuipulotu (15), Savea (22), Jordan (35), Aumua (39), McKenzie (56), Lienert-Brown (79). Cons: Love (15,23,36,40,57).

Ireland - Tries: Conan (33), McCarthy (45), Keenan (63). Cons: Prendergast (34,45,64).

Instead, Ireland's errors - plentiful in the contest - were preyed upon and exposed in a disappointing finish to the visitors' season.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell said post-match:

"Inaccurate is the word. Our continuity, we just weren't flowing for all sorts of reasons, whether that be discipline, spilt ball, throwing the ball into touch etc.

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"The character and fight is there for all to see, and we saw that against Australia as well.

"But you cannot make so many errors against a quality side like New Zealand.

"When injuries occur, it's someone else's opportunity. It's priceless for us with what's coming over the next 15 months."

Player of the match Damian McKenzie said post-match:

"A tough Test match. Ireland came out strong, and we knew we had to start well.

"We had to keep at our work, and the second half was still a grind. The Irish boys are a tough side.

"We had to work really hard for our points in the second half. Awesome to come away with a tough Test win.

"These Tests get more physical every week."