OMEN
06-24-2006, 09:36 PM
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Luke McAlister sets up an All Blacks attack against Ireland
The All Blacks broke the Irish hearts - and their scrum - with another dominant finish earning New Zealand a 27-17 win in the second test at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday night.
This was another absorbing contest between these two old rivals. But after 101 years and 20 contests, the Irish head off still seeking their first win against the men in black.
New Zealand won last week's opening test in Hamilton 34-23 with a late flourish to eventually overhaul an Irish lead.
This time the All Blacks led from start to finish but it was a close thing with the match hanging at 20-17 with 10 minutes left before Luke McAlister struck with a vital try between the posts to kill off another brave Irish challenge.
That came on the back of some power srumming from New Zealand as they gave up a shot at goal and didn't go to the lineout. Instead they backed their scrum - arguably the best in the business at the moment - and came away with rich reward.
The predicted heavy rain arrived just after kickoff to add to the biting cold but that couldn't dampen the spirit of the All Blacks or the Irish.
As was proven with that crucial final strike, the All Blacks scrum was just as dominant as it was last week and there was a slight improvement in their lineout work.
McAlister finished with 17 points to help his growing confidence as the backup to the incomparable Daniel Carter.
Aaron Mauger showed his class again, mixing up his options well and organising the backline.
The All Blacks looked better for having halfback Byron Kelleher on the field for the entire match after he was forced off early last week. His competitive game and slick clearance were certainly appreciated.
Richie McCaw's game went up a gear from last week and he appeared to be a metre ahead of the other loosies in this match, giving New Zealand a decided edge at the breakdowns.
The Irish rush defence caused a few problems for the All Blacks backline attack at times although New Zealand were able to work a couple of sweet moves from set pieces.
Casey Laulala, replacing Ma'a Nonu at centre had a mixed night as did Troy Flavell at lock who was also given a starting role.
So this was another case of relief for New Zealand as they continue to search their options in the lead-up to the Tri Nations. No one can deny their resolve although there is still work to do with their play.
Conditions dominated at times though with pouring rain make things difficult for both teams.
The All Blacks took just five minutes to strike and it was a great team effort that produced the opening try.
Laulala made the kick-chase to trap the Irish on their line with help from skipper McCaw. From the scrambled clearance Chris Jack won the lineout and the drive to the line saw Troy Flavell exert his power. When the ball was freed Kelleher was unstoppable.
McAlister added a solid penalty to his conversion to make it 10-nil after 23 minutes.
Lineout Drive
And it was another lineout drive - this time off a Rodney So'oialo take - that set up the second try. They mauled the ball to the Irish line and while Chris Jack may have knocked on in the first drive at the line, rookie prop Clarke Dermody picked up the ball and crossed over unopposed.
Paul O'Connell got the Irish on the board with a freakish individual effort. Halfback Peter Stringer took a quick tap penalty from in front of the posts and found the big lock running on to his pass. O'Connell swatted off Kelleher and then slid under the attempted tackles of Mils Muliaina and Laulala. He picked himself up and charged the five metres that were left for the try behind the posts.
McAlister's second penalty should have settled things down for the All Blacks at 20-7 just before halftime.
But the Irish character showed again when they gave up another penalty shot at goal, went to the lineout corner. They drove powerfully off an O'Connell take and hooker Jerry Flannery came up with the try. O'Gara's conversion had the tourists right back in the game with the All Blacks' lead reduced to 20-16 at the break.
New Zealand started the second half strongly but got nothing to show from it.
When Ireland pressed into the All Blacks 22 for the first time in the second spell with a clever Peter Stringer kick, they forced a turnover when Joe Rokocoko tried to run the ball out and knocked on in front of his posts. In the scramble from the scrum Flavell was penalised for a high tackle on Brian O'Driscoll and this time they went for the posts with O'Gara landing the simple goal.
From there some aimless play crept into the All Blacks game and it was the Irish who maintained the pressure with O'Gara content to probe the corners with his field kicking.
The All Blacks finally went to their pick and go game to regain some momentum. Then it was their turn to give up two kickable penalties. They went to their scrum instead of the lineout and from the third reset cleared the ball to McAlister who charged through the tackle of O'Gara to score between the posts for the crucial try and conversion to make it 27-17 with nine minutes left.
New Zealand-born halfback Isaac Boss got on to make his test debut for Ireland while Craig Newby and David Hill ended their spells in the wilderness with late substitutes roles.
The Irish head off to Perth to play the Wallabies next weekend. This group of All Blacks take a breather although 11 will be named on Sunday to head to Argentina to help the already named starting XV confront the Pumas next weekend.
New Zealand 27: Byron Kelleher, Clarke Dermody, Luke McAlister tries; McAlister 3 con, 2 pen.
Ireland 17: Paul O'Connell, Jerry Flannery tries; Ronan O'Gara 2 con, pen.
HT: 20-14
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Luke McAlister sets up an All Blacks attack against Ireland
The All Blacks broke the Irish hearts - and their scrum - with another dominant finish earning New Zealand a 27-17 win in the second test at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday night.
This was another absorbing contest between these two old rivals. But after 101 years and 20 contests, the Irish head off still seeking their first win against the men in black.
New Zealand won last week's opening test in Hamilton 34-23 with a late flourish to eventually overhaul an Irish lead.
This time the All Blacks led from start to finish but it was a close thing with the match hanging at 20-17 with 10 minutes left before Luke McAlister struck with a vital try between the posts to kill off another brave Irish challenge.
That came on the back of some power srumming from New Zealand as they gave up a shot at goal and didn't go to the lineout. Instead they backed their scrum - arguably the best in the business at the moment - and came away with rich reward.
The predicted heavy rain arrived just after kickoff to add to the biting cold but that couldn't dampen the spirit of the All Blacks or the Irish.
As was proven with that crucial final strike, the All Blacks scrum was just as dominant as it was last week and there was a slight improvement in their lineout work.
McAlister finished with 17 points to help his growing confidence as the backup to the incomparable Daniel Carter.
Aaron Mauger showed his class again, mixing up his options well and organising the backline.
The All Blacks looked better for having halfback Byron Kelleher on the field for the entire match after he was forced off early last week. His competitive game and slick clearance were certainly appreciated.
Richie McCaw's game went up a gear from last week and he appeared to be a metre ahead of the other loosies in this match, giving New Zealand a decided edge at the breakdowns.
The Irish rush defence caused a few problems for the All Blacks backline attack at times although New Zealand were able to work a couple of sweet moves from set pieces.
Casey Laulala, replacing Ma'a Nonu at centre had a mixed night as did Troy Flavell at lock who was also given a starting role.
So this was another case of relief for New Zealand as they continue to search their options in the lead-up to the Tri Nations. No one can deny their resolve although there is still work to do with their play.
Conditions dominated at times though with pouring rain make things difficult for both teams.
The All Blacks took just five minutes to strike and it was a great team effort that produced the opening try.
Laulala made the kick-chase to trap the Irish on their line with help from skipper McCaw. From the scrambled clearance Chris Jack won the lineout and the drive to the line saw Troy Flavell exert his power. When the ball was freed Kelleher was unstoppable.
McAlister added a solid penalty to his conversion to make it 10-nil after 23 minutes.
Lineout Drive
And it was another lineout drive - this time off a Rodney So'oialo take - that set up the second try. They mauled the ball to the Irish line and while Chris Jack may have knocked on in the first drive at the line, rookie prop Clarke Dermody picked up the ball and crossed over unopposed.
Paul O'Connell got the Irish on the board with a freakish individual effort. Halfback Peter Stringer took a quick tap penalty from in front of the posts and found the big lock running on to his pass. O'Connell swatted off Kelleher and then slid under the attempted tackles of Mils Muliaina and Laulala. He picked himself up and charged the five metres that were left for the try behind the posts.
McAlister's second penalty should have settled things down for the All Blacks at 20-7 just before halftime.
But the Irish character showed again when they gave up another penalty shot at goal, went to the lineout corner. They drove powerfully off an O'Connell take and hooker Jerry Flannery came up with the try. O'Gara's conversion had the tourists right back in the game with the All Blacks' lead reduced to 20-16 at the break.
New Zealand started the second half strongly but got nothing to show from it.
When Ireland pressed into the All Blacks 22 for the first time in the second spell with a clever Peter Stringer kick, they forced a turnover when Joe Rokocoko tried to run the ball out and knocked on in front of his posts. In the scramble from the scrum Flavell was penalised for a high tackle on Brian O'Driscoll and this time they went for the posts with O'Gara landing the simple goal.
From there some aimless play crept into the All Blacks game and it was the Irish who maintained the pressure with O'Gara content to probe the corners with his field kicking.
The All Blacks finally went to their pick and go game to regain some momentum. Then it was their turn to give up two kickable penalties. They went to their scrum instead of the lineout and from the third reset cleared the ball to McAlister who charged through the tackle of O'Gara to score between the posts for the crucial try and conversion to make it 27-17 with nine minutes left.
New Zealand-born halfback Isaac Boss got on to make his test debut for Ireland while Craig Newby and David Hill ended their spells in the wilderness with late substitutes roles.
The Irish head off to Perth to play the Wallabies next weekend. This group of All Blacks take a breather although 11 will be named on Sunday to head to Argentina to help the already named starting XV confront the Pumas next weekend.
New Zealand 27: Byron Kelleher, Clarke Dermody, Luke McAlister tries; McAlister 3 con, 2 pen.
Ireland 17: Paul O'Connell, Jerry Flannery tries; Ronan O'Gara 2 con, pen.
HT: 20-14
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