THE OVERRIDING feeling from an anything-but-animated New Zealand management team was one of being happy that an accident hadn't happened.

So Graham Henry and Richie McCaw rolled in under the stands in Croke Park more pleased that they didn't crash and burn in Croke Park than overwhelmed that they had beaten Ireland. Again.

One draw for Ireland and no wins stretching back to the first match played between the two countries since the first meeting in 1905 can certainly enhance a team's confidence and expectations.

"We're pleased with the result. The guys played well and we dominated the game most of the time," said Henry dryly. "We played with tempo but were frustrated that we created chances that we didn't finish. A couple of tries went begging. Our defence was excellent, the best of the tour so far. It was a very positive part of the game.

"We got a lot of turnover ball," he added. "Ireland played as well as they were allowed to play. I imagine they went out with a more expansive game plan. Brian O'Driscoll and Luke Fitzgerald played well. They cut us up in midfield a couple of times but our cover defence was good."

On their penalty try just before the break and Tommy Bowe's yellow card, Henry was typically cold and pragmatic. There is rarely much sympathy in a coldly analytical mind and like most great teams the All Blacks will take any scraps they are given. Henry looked up briefly when the question of the try was put. "That's the law," he replied in a tone of 'well what do you want me to add'.

The coach felt that his team had the winning of the match just five minutes from the end, although, hinted that the general feeling was that they had beaten Ireland for the 21st time in 22 outings much earlier than that. "About 75 minutes," was when he knew the game was in the bag. "But I'm pretty conservative about those things," he quickly added. "I guess the guys on the field felt they were in control. But a lot of things can happen. Things can turn around pretty quickly. I think we had control for most of the match."

Captain Richie McCaw once again had the luxury of being able to be gracious all round and throw some faint praise the way of Ireland and the crowd. The relatively small open side flanker with perhaps the biggest game in the sport easily passed the diplomacy test.

"It was a good battle. We are very happy," said McCaw. "It was never going to be easy playing here. It was a pretty awesome stadium and I thought the crowd was pretty respectful. As a team they came out and threw everything into it. But at the end of the day, in the second half we controlled territory and got the points we were after."

McCaw also had a bone to pick with Ospreys winger Tommy Bowe who illegally flicked the ball to touch just as he was dashing onto the line, his arms cradling for what appeared to be a certain try as the ball bobbled towards him out wide. It was a correct decision but that was little comfort to the All Black captain.

"Yeah, except it doesn't go against my name," he said. "I was pretty sure I would have got it if it (Bowe's flick away) had not happened. It was a pretty crucial time to score. We had a lot of pressure in the first half but perhaps hadn't got the rewards, so to get seven points right on the whistle at half-time was important. To get that try was quite critical for us I thought."

There was also unrestrained praise for outhalf Dan Carter. "That was the best defensive performance I've seen for a number 10," said the former All Black outhalf, Smith. "His goal kicking wasn't as good as he would have liked. But he continues to amaze me with his all round game and physicality. He ripped a few tackles today. That's something people don't associate with him."

The only vein of humour came from former Wales coach Steve Hanson, now in with Henry as an assistant. "Ali (Williams) the man of the match?" he said laughing. "I don't know who picked that. But Ali was happy with it."