DUBLIN: World Champions New Zealand became the first team in the professional era to win all their Test matches in a calendar year as Aaron Cruden converted with the last kick of the game to beat Ireland 24-22 in a pulsating encounter at Lansdowne Road yesterday.
The Irish had stormed into a 22-7 half-time lead but they failed to score a point in the second-half and a missed penalty by Johnny Sexton four minutes from time cost them their first ever victory over the All Blacks.
It was the fifth time the Irish had conceded a half-time lead to their opponents and leaves them with just a draw and 27 defeats in their head to head meetings, while the All Blacks finish with 14 wins from 14 Tests in 2013.
Man-of-the-match Sean O’Brien said Ireland had been taught a harsh lesson.
“We’re very disappointed to start off the way we did (and not win) but obviously it was not enough in the end,” he said.
“We’ve got to learn from this and put these types of games away. I don’t want to be too negative but that is the blunt truth.”
The Irish early fire was rewarded in the fifth minute as, having driven deep into All Black territory, Conor Murray went over and following a video review the try was awarded for his second Test score in his 22nd appearance, although it appeared he may have dropped the ball.
Sexton converted to take him over the 300-point mark with 301.
Incredibly, the Irish were over again for a second try in the 11th minute as Rory Best scored the sixth of his 70-Test career.
Sexton converted to unbelievably give the hosts a 14-0 lead.
The Irish were rampant and had a third try in the 19th minute as Rob Kearney, who had been a doubt through the week with a rib injury, ran it back from inside his 22 after Israel Dagg spilled the ball into his hands.
Sexton’s conversion hit the post to leave Ireland leading 19-0 and bringing back memories of the last Test under Warren Gatland’s reign in 2001 when they led 21-7 at the break only to lose.
Finally this appeared to spark the flat All Blacks into putting together some fluent running rugby, which produced a try.
Cruden spotted a huge gap behind the Irish defence, chipped through and the prolific Julian Savea, who was unmarked on the wing, ran onto the ball to touch down in the 26th minute.
Cruden converted for 19-7.
The Irish, though, were not deflated by that in the least and stormed back deep into All Black territory.AFP
