Ireland 29 New Zealand 40
A brave Ireland finally succumbed to New Zealand's high octane brand of rugby at Lansdowne Road this afternoon..
However, it was Ireland who made the early running as they opened the scoring as early as the second minute with a penalty from outhalf David Humphreys. Lansdowne Road went wild 10 minutes later after Kevin Maggs scored a brilliantly worked try, made by a Humphreys dummy and break.
Humphreys had pushed Ireland to 13-0 when New Zealand began to apply the pressure. Second row Chris Jack crossed the line in the 35th minute, but Humphreys steadied the boat with a penalty on half-time to leave it 16-7 at the break.
Ireland came out firing after the restart and Denis Hickie scored with a well worked patient try in the corner. Humphreys missed the conversion and the effect of Ireland’s heavy playing schedule became more apparent as the half wore on.
By the 55th minute Ireland had conceded three tries by Reuben Thorne, Dave Howlett and debutante Aaron Mauger and trailed for the first time in the game. A sole drop goal by David Humphreys was Ireland’s only reward in that period.
New Zealand denied Ireland possession and any the home side did get was quickly coughed up in turnovers as the All Blacks began to get a stranglehold on the match.
Tries by Jonah Lomu and substitute Dave Hewitt put the All Blacks out of reach. Ireland gained some well earned consolation when Eric Miller was driven over from a lineout right at the end.