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| Brian O'Driscoll of Ireland is tackled by Dan Carter of the All Blacks during
the International Test Match between New Zealand and Ireland at AMI Stadium on
June 16, 2012 in Christchurch, New Zealand.
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June 15, 2012 - Source:All Photos: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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All Blacks: To the last drop Irish were a real test
By Gregor Paul
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New Zealand 22Ireland 19 They reckon the Irish are lucky. They're bloody well not. Has there been a crueller defeat in recent times? The men in green had the All Blacks on a plate - beaten up, shell-shocked, panicking and looking decidedly unlike world champions. At 19-19 and with the All Blacks reduced to 14 men thanks to an act of lunacy by Israel Dagg, this game was Ireland's - and maybe would have been had Jonny Sexton not got underneath a long-range penalty, or if referee Nigel Owens had given a scrum penalty when it looked like the All Blacks had infringed. But Ireland have a legacy of hard luck stories and this was another. They couldn't close out and to the credit of the All Blacks, they held their composure in the last three minutes to let Daniel Carter drop the winning goal at the second attempt.  ** It was a victory the All Blacks scarcely deserved. Having whacked Ireland with a big stick last week, the All Blacks encountered a more dangerous and lively foe last night - one that pushed them hard and derailed any growing sense of superiority. This was proper test match football: rugby with bite, a passionate crowd and two sides surprisingly evenly matched. Ireland were good. They were strong in all the areas where they were weak in the first test and they grew in confidence. Their scrum, an eggshell in Auckland, won penalties in Christchurch and there was some attacking venom left in Brian O'Driscoll.  ** The All Blacks' performance dipped the other way. The control and precision that was the hallmark of opening night was never really there. They couldn't play with the same tempo; couldn't feed off Ireland's mistakes, because they didn't make many; and for long periods couldn't find their rhythm or win the gainline battle. The mistakes added up. The scrum creaked some more and the injuries mounted for the All Blacks. Uncertain faces looked around for leadership and didn't always get it. Ali Williams, there to use his experience, conceded a penalty which would bring the scores level and then mouthed off to bring it forward 10 metres. His presence merely highlighted how much the All Blacks missed Kieran Read. Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder claimed earlier this year that Read was the best player on the planet. After last night, it would be hard to doubt that.  Kieran Read of the All Blacks is tackled by Kevin McLaughlin of Ireland ** Whenever the All Blacks needed a runner to smash it up, Read was on hand. Whenever they needed a big tackle, Read would make it. He didn't return for the second half - suffering a head knock just as he did last week - and there will be a level of concern, not so much about whether he will be fit for next week, but whether he will now be facing an extended stint on the sidelines. The upside, if it can be called that, was that Read's departure enabled the All Blacks to get debutant Sam Cane on earlier than they had planned. The instructions to Cane were simple - get stuck in. He wasn't shy. There was purpose and drive in his ball-carrying and he had a fair idea where the ball was. read the whole thing here, with video: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=10813521 ***  ** Ireland turned up the heat in freezing conditions to push New Zealand all the way, before eventually succumbing to a 22-19 defeat in Christchurch on Saturday. With the scores level at 19-19 and one minute remaining in the match, All Blacks pivot Dan Carter broke Irish hearts with a last-gasp drop goal to win the game and the series. * It was a valiant effort from the visitors, who led the world champions by one point (9-10) at half-time, but were left playing catch-up following an early try to Aaron Smith two minutes after the break.* But the men in green managed to claw their way back and when All Blacks full-back Israel Dagg was yellow-carded in the 72nd minute, Ireland were presented with a golden opportunity to retake the lead from 49m out. However, Jonathan Sexton's attempt had the direction but not the distance as the ball fell agonisingly short. From there the hosts put themselves into a position to set up Carter for the match-winning drop.  ** Man of the match: For New Zealand, Dan Carter was obviously the man of the moment thanks to his match-winning drop-goal. But it's hard to look past the gallant Irish who silenced their critics with a superb effort that came within fractions of the most famous Irish win in history against the world champions. And it's for that reason why we've opted for a collective award to the entire Ireland team. * Moment of the match: With 40 seconds of the match remaining, it has to be Carter's winning drop goal. * Villain of the match: Israel Dagg's brain implosion that so nearly cost his team defeat. http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9989_7816544,00.html ***  ** 
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June 15, 2012 - Source: Martin Hunter/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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