Racing
League
Rugby
Football
Cricket
Golf
Sport Nation
Olympics
Motorsport
Netball
Combat Sports
Basketball
Other Sports
FWC: FRA v ENG from 8am SundayRed-hot All Blacks crush Ireland in Eden Park fortress
Edward Elliot • July 18th, 2026 10:24 pm
New Zealand's Ardie Savea and Ireland's Jamison Gibson-Park do a hongi after the match | Photo: AP
Ireland suffered a crushing 40-21 defeat as the All Blacks stretched their remarkable unbeaten run at Eden Park to 53 Tests 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 on Saturday as first-half tries from Patrick Tuipulotu, Ardie Savea, Will Jordan and Asafo Aumua put New Zealand in control.
New Zealand's Will Jordan crosses for a try in his side's win over Ireland | Photo: AP
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. Ireland's 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.
Ireland were back on New Zealand soil for the first time since their historic 2-1 tour success in 2022.
Farrell's men, who were beaten 42-19 at Eden Park in that series, fell behind in the 15th minute when All Blacks lock Tuipulotu broke clear to cross.
Having already lost Jimmy O'Brien for a head injury assessment, Ireland then saw his replacement Ciaran Frawley depart with a bloodied head following a collision with teammate Keenan.
Anton Lienert-Brown was among New Zealand's try-scorers in their win over Ireland | Photo: AP
The visitors were swiftly facing an uphill task after No.8 Savea exploited a gap to claim New Zealand's second try in the 22nd minute.
Tuipulotu was held up on the line before New Zealand's momentum was checked by Jacobson being sent to the sin bin, with the back-rower arguably fortunate not to receive a harsher punishment.
Ireland capitalised on their temporary numerical advantage when No.8 Conan crashed over and Sam Prendergast converted.
But having finally established a foothold in the contest, a breakdown in communication from the error-strewn tourists gifted Jordan his sixth try of the competition as New Zealand immediately reasserted their dominance.
The All Blacks led 28-7 at the break after replacement hooker Aumua bulldozed over to secure the bonus point.
Ireland returned fired up for the second half and cut the deficit when lock McCarthy powered over underneath the posts and fly-half Prendergast added the extras.
Ireland's Joe McCarthy came up against an All Black wall at Eden Park | Photo: AP
Fullback McKenzie dived over at the other end to claim New Zealand's fifth try, before Prendergast nailed a tricky touchline conversion after teeing up Keenan to put the away team in touching distance of a losing bonus point.
However, Ireland were well beaten and Lienert-Brown compounded their misery late on as New Zealand registered a fourth consecutive success in the fixture to extend their phenomenal record at Eden Park.
Following earlier victories over France and Italy, New Zealand have won three games in a row under new head coach Dave Rennie.
Will Jordan on what optimism is for the 2026 All Blacks | Millsy & Guy
