New Zealand 42-19 Ireland: Ruthless All Blacks hammer visitors

A six-try win over Ireland gave New Zealand the lead in the first series of the year.

The All Blacks extended their winning run at the venue to 47 Tests after scoring four tries in 17 minutes in the first half.

Both sides scored two tries after the break, but it wasn't enough to change the outcome.

Johnny Sexton was injured in the first half.

He is a major doubt for the second Test after failing the HIA.

Seeking their first win over the All Blacks in New Zealand, Ireland played well in patches but were unable to match the intensity of their hosts for long enough periods.

New Zealand can take a 2-0 lead in the series.

Ireland know they have a lot of work to do if they are to take a Test win home with them.

All Blacks unfazed by quick Ireland start

When Ireland arrived at the end of their season, it was a reversal of the last time the sides met, in Dublin.

The visitors looked like they were going to lose when New Zealand moved through the gears at half time.

Ireland have never won in New Zealand, and the All Blacks have never lost at home. Ireland brought their best for the first 20 minutes, but ended up with just a five point lead.

Earls' sixth minute try was magnificent, as the forwards put in the leg work with phase after phase of powerful carries before New Zealand intruded at the breakdown, giving Ireland licence to throw it out to the backs.

The visitors saw it unraveling. The All Blacks had a lot left in the tank, after taking their best punch.

On 21 minutes, they went ahead as Jordie Barrett provided the finish, following a charge down the left by debutantes.

Ireland looked sprightly and moved back into New Zealand territory, but things fell apart when James Lowe slipped a split second before Ringrose threw a pass. The ball hit the deck and allowed Sevu to pick up and run for the second try.

The injury that forced him off for a HIA, which he did not pass, was the reason why Ireland's misery was compounded.

The All Blacks were galvanised by the sequence of events. They capitalised on the momentum with further scores before the break from Ardie Savea and BeaudenBarrett.

The All Blacks' performance was even better due to their disrupted build-up as Covid-19 ripped through their coaching staff, with backs Will Jordan, David Havili and Jack Goodhue all ruled out after testing positive.

You wouldn't know if the training schedule was disrupted. Ireland were forced into a late change to the matchday 23 after wing Mack Hansen was ruled out of the game due to the illness.

By the time the second half began, Ireland were pretty much in damage limitation mode, but they still found an early reward through a fine Ringrose score.

The All Blacks remained well in control, though, and Savea responded with his best individual score as he evaded three Irish tackles to slalom over.

New Zealand's defence was just as good. Ireland was held up over the line multiple times for their scores.

Rieko Ioane's brilliant defence denied Ireland two tries in as many minutes, first with a last-ditch tackle that forced Joey Carbery to lose control of the ball as he stretched to ground, before dislodging the ball fromJosh van der Flier's grasp as he

Ireland came away with nothing after several slick passages of play, and when New Zealand scored a sixth try, it was even more frustrating.

By the time Karl Tu'inukuafe ended the game in the sin-bin, the home fans were already partying.

New Zealand: J Barrett, R Ioane, Q Tupaea, L Fainga'anuku, B Barrett, Smith, Taylor, Tu'ungafasi, Retallick, Whitelock.

Replacements: Ta'avao, Papalii, Christie and Ennor.

Ireland: Earls, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe, O'Mahony, Van der Flier and Ryan.

The replacements were Heffernan, O'Toole, Healy, Treadwell, Conan, Murray, Carbery, Aki.