All Blacks Much Too Clinical

There were three tries for new cap Julian Savea as the All Blacks opened the three Test Steinlager Series against Ireland with a 42-10 win at Eden Park.

They led 23-3 at half time and confined Ireland to their own half for most of the second half. Although Ireland's try came from a mistake by the Blacks as they attacked the Irish line, they did create chances that ultimately went abegging because of errors.

Three Dan Carter penalties had the Blacks 9-3 in front after 24 minutes but then a superb Sonny Bill Williams one-handed offload set up a try under the posts for Julian Savea.

Ireland then coughed up possession when in a good position close to the Blacks line, and as they do, the World champions took full advantage with Savea going in at the left corner flag for a try that Carter converted from the touchline.

In that opening half, it wasn't a case of Ireland not playing well because they did look threatening on more than one occasion but it's the ruthless effeciency of the home side that had them in front. and they could have been further ahead only for a hand trip by Rob Kearney mid way through the half on Savea and then right at the death when Israel Dagg passed too early in a two on one situation.

At the start of the second half the Blacks increased thir lead with Carter instrumental in setting up Savea for his hat-trick, then his six from six kick pushing his side 30-3 ahead.

Fergus McFadden beat Richie McCaw handily to get the try that made it a 20 point game but the Blacks were soon back down looking to make amends and they did when replacement Adam Thompson crashed over.

Conrad Smith scored another and in added time Carter was stopped just short.

New Zealand: Israel Dagg; Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea; Dan Carter, Aaron Smith; Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Owen Franks; Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock; Victor Vito, Richie McCaw (c), Kieran Read. Replacements: Hika Elliot, Ben Franks, Ali Williams, Adam Thomson, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith.

Ireland: Rob Kearney; Fergus McFadden, Brian O'Driscoll (capt), Keith Earls, Simon Zebo; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Declan Fitzpatrick; Dan Tuohy, Donnacha Ryan; Peter O'Mahony, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip. Replacements: S Cronin, R Loughney, D O'Callaghan, K McLaughlin, R O'Gara, E Reddan, D Cave.