KEY POINTS:
For those lucky enough to have been to Dublin, the All Blacks victory was a bit like Friday night in the Grafton St city centre. Lots of activity, plenty of noise and colour, loads of bright ideas littered with mistakes.
The All Blacks scored three tries in a
twelve minute frenzy and that was it before they walked off Croke Park with the scoreline beaming out a 22-3 victory. It continued the 103 year winning stranglehold the visitors have had over Ireland since the two sides began their international contests.
It was a strange old test. There was massive intensity in the opening half, some thunderous defence and awkward attack with both sides spilling the ball more than they would have expected. There was also the odd sight of Dan Carter missing his opening two penalty attempts until he goaled his third before Ronan O'Gara replied.
That 3-all deadlock seemed sure to be the halftime score until Ireland conceded a penalty try when wing Tommy Bowe shovelled a grubber kick from Ma'a Nonu out touch in goal ahead of the diving Richier McCaw.
Referee Mark Lawrence consulted his television match official and the harsh but correct ruling was a penalty try and a 10-3 lead to the All Blacks.
Loosehead prop Tony Woodcock followed Bowe to the sinbin soon after the break when he was caught punching by the tougch judge and the All Blacks coaching staff would have held their breath as Lawrence inquired whether it should be a red card.
Not long after the All Blacks took advantage of lock Paul O'Connell who was hobbling on defence in midfield and found out how difficult it was to contain the brokenfield running of Joe Rokocoko and Ma'a Nonu, who skinned him on the angle to put the All Blacks second five-eighths across the line.
Minutes later Brad Thorn smashed his way through two defenders for the third and final All Blacks try. There were other chances, Ali Williams denied a try on a video ruling and Sivivatu's effort was also disallowed through a forward pass ruling.
"It was pretty physical out there, it was a good battle," victorious captain Richie McCaw said.
There were many untidy moments and Carter persisted with a number of dinky short kicks which were generally smothered well by Ireland. The All Blacks always looked in control but struggled to impose themselves as much as they would have wanted in Chapter II of the Grand Slam challenge.
"There was some frustration because we did not finish at times," coach Graham Henry said. "It was a good result but there was some frustration. Our cover defence though I thought was excellent."