New Zealand provided a harsh and devastatingly disappointing lesson in the art of taking scoring opportunities in wiping out Ireland's hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Invitational under-21 championship. Instead, France - who beat Australia 25-18 - go through with the New Zealanders.
For long periods Ireland outplayed their vaunted rivals, particularly up front where the pack responded magnificently to the challenge. But a strike rate of two successful attempts from seven with the placed ball was never going to suffice.
It would be churlish to dismiss this as just another failure. Ireland produced a sterling display and should have enjoyed a greater reward on the scoreboard.
Jeremy Staunton could manage only two from six attempts, and none of those he missed could have been described as particularly difficult. It overshadowed the performance he conjured in defence and in making two glorious breaks.
Two of the three New Zealand tries must be regarded as gifts. The first was a simple quick tap penalty that was finished off 50 metres later by wing Salesi Moimoi, brittle tackling allowing him an easy ride through the Irish defence.
On the second occasion, with just a minute remaining, out-half Ashley Barron hit a post with a penalty attempt and, as Ireland reacted slowly, their opponents regathered.
Quick ruck ball and three swift passes allowed scrum-half Ben Hurst to canter over in the corner.
Ireland's Achilles heel, apart from the place-kicking, was their one-dimensional approach to trying to prise a gap in their opponent's rearguard. From four lineouts, at various stages of the second half, hooker Adrian Flavin sought out Robert Casey with the pack driving in, but the massed ranks of the New Zealand defence knew Ireland's modus operandi.
When Ireland did look to move the focus of attack wider they invariably chose the wrong option and courted turnovers.
Robert Casey led by example despite not being fully fit, Donnacha O'Callaghan was no less inspirational and the rest of the pack contributed hugely. Ireland was not helped by the withdrawal of centre David Quinlan on 40 minutes with a knee injury, as his physical strength in defence and attack was causing the New Zealanders problems.
Bryn Cunningham was superb at full back, with the exception of the first try, and Staunton, Tom Keating and Kevin Hartigan all offered cameos of excellence.
But the outstanding player in a green jersey was diminutive London Irish scrum-half Kieron Campbell. He harried his opposite number remorselessly and showed great courage in stopping the gargantuan Samiu Vahafolau at the base of the scrum.
Moimoi's try after four minutes, converted by Barron allowed New Zealand to settle quickly but it was Ireland who responded with the more cohesive rugby. Backed by the wind, they forced their opponents to concede penalties but Staunton could only avail of one opportunity from three chances. A similar strike from Barron gave the Kiwis a 10-3 interval advantage.
A try from flanker Brent Thompson six minutes after the restart suggested that Ireland was in for a torrid time, but the onslaught never materialised. Instead led by Stephen Baretto, Simon Best and Paul Neville, Ireland took the game to their opponents, forging opportunities but pulling up tantalisingly short.
Scoring sequence: 4 mins: Moimoi try, Barron conversion, 7-0; 23: Staunton penalty, 73; 30: Barron penalty, 10-3. 46: Thompson try 15-3; 51: Staunton penalty, 15-6; 79: Hurst try, Barron conversion 22-6.
NEW ZEALAND: G McQuoid; R Gear, N Mauger, A Mauger, S Moimoi; A Barron, B Hurst; K Cameron, A Edwards, C Hayman; P Tito (capt), C Jack; B Thompson, S Vahafolau, J Blackie. Replacements: B Blair for N Mauger (30 mins); O Ai'I for Gear (h-t); T Tuirirangi for Hayman (62 mins).
IRELAND: B Cunningham (Bective Rangers); A Dunne (Old Belvedere), K Hartigan (Garryowen), D Quinlan (Blackrock College), T Keating (Blackrock College); J Staunton (Garryowen), K Campbell (London Irish); S Baretto (Terenure College), A Flavin (London Irish), S Best (Newcastle); M O'Driscoll (UCC), R Casey (Blackrock College); D O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution), L Cullen (Blackrock College, capt), A Hughes (Dungannon). Replacements: S Moore (UCD) for Quinlan (40 mins), P Neville (Garryowen) for Hughes (45 mins), S Keogh (Old Belvedere) for Campbell (57 mins), A Kearney (UCD) for O'Driscoll (69 mins), J Flannery (UCC) for Flavin (69 mins); M McHugh (St Mary's College) for Staunton (69 mins).
Yellow card: S Vahafolau (New Zealand).
Referee: N Lasaga (France).
