Gregor Paul: Brave Irish ran out of steam

Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll is tackled by Ma'a Nonu during the All Blacks' win in Dublin. Photo / Getty Images

Herald on Sunday rugby writer Gregor Paul is providing post-match analysis after every All Blacks' match during their Grand Slam tour.

Brave new Ireland, roared and harried for much of this game but a little like their broken economy, ran out of steam.

Which was hardly surprising - they encountered an All Black tsunami in the second half that threatened to flood and destroy. Probably the All Blacks will feel like they let an opportunity slip to post a big score.

The Irish looked punch drunk early in the second half when they were 33-13 behind.

The All Blacks were building momentum and obviously eager to run through their repertoire of tricks. But Ireland didn't capitulate the way they might have a few years ago.

Far from rolling over, the home side found their second wind. It was classic stuff from the men in green- refusing to buckle; refusing to let the nation down.

They kept the ball, played in the All Black half and while they only managed one more try, they prevented the hammering.

New Zealand won't be too happy with that. While the Irish rallied, there was no doubt the All Blacks lost the intensity they were threatening.

From looking a little laboured in the first half where they struggled to find ways through a passionate rushing Irish rush defence, the All Blacks flicked the switch and tore their hosts to shreds in the first 20 minutes of the second half. The pace was frenetic and the support running as good as it has been all year.

The Irish couldn't really fathom how it was they could make so many tackles and still see so many black jerseys spread across the field.

There was a sense of the All Blacks sitting in third gear for periods - capable and ready to knock it into fourth and cruise into fifth. The width which they played was the bigger problem for Ireland.

The All Blacks hugged the touchlines and the Irish, having put in such a big defensive shift earlier in the game, couldn't keep covering. And once they dropped off the occasional tackles, once their line-speed went, they were stuffed.

With space, the All Blacks were lethal. They ran that bit straighter, timed the passes that bit better and the tries came.

Hosea Gear had another big game. His ability to go past the first tackle is becoming increasingly important. Out wide, one on one, it's never a fair contest.

His power and his step are too much and he was the man that so often drove the ball across the advantage line and kept the Irish pedalling backwards.

Anthony Boric was another big contributor. He had his strongest test to date - showing the aggression and aerial skills the selectors wanted to see. He was also confident enough to attack the Irish on their ball and it paid dividend.

Yet, it was an old face to whom the All Blacks owed the most. Dan Carter was unflappable. His goal-kicking was superb other than missing the last conversion of Kieran Read's second try. Those points were critical when the All Blacks were under pressure in the first half.

For all the energy of Ireland and all the problems they caused the All Blacks in those early exchanges, Carter just kept his head - he found his runners and when the penalties came, he stroked them over from everywhere.

- Herald on Sunday