The Irish,as in their 23-12 win last week in Dunedin,charged out of the blocks and stunned the home side with ferocity and verve.

They were daring from the get-go,with Sexton spurning an early shot at goal to set up a line-out drive and the opening try to flanker Josh van der Flier.

Ineffective with ball in hand,the All Blacks went to the air via the boots of the Barrett brothers but were kept scoreless for 23 minutes until fullback Jordie knocked over a penalty.

Sexton and his outside backs hit straight back with a glittering try at the left corner,a no-look pass by winger James Lowe putting a charging Hugo Keenan over.

Sexton’s partnership with centre Bundee Aki caused New Zealand headaches,the former’s quick hands putting the latter through a hole in front of the posts and setting up the third try to Robbie Henshaw three minutes from the break.

The All Blacks’ pride demanded a response and Savea delivered four minutes after the break,spinning out of a collision on the line to score a team-rallying try.

Ireland prop Andrew Porter was given a yellow card for a high tackle on lock Brodie Retallick,triggering boos from home fans who wanted worse.

Akira Ioane capitalised immediately for the hosts with a 52nd minute try,beating four defenders on the way to the line.

The All Blacks came again with a brilliant try to Jordan,who burst from the 22-metre line,bolting more than 70 metres to touch down at the right corner and send home fans into a frenzy.

It looked like the All Blacks would rumble on to victory but Sexton again intervened. He waved away another chance for three points,backing his forwards to do the job with another lineout drive. Herring broke off the maul and slammed the ball on the line.

Sexton snuck the conversion through to carve out a 10-point lead that Ireland defended bravely all the way to the siren.

Reuters

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