All Blacks demolish Ireland in series opener

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Jordie Barrett scored 19 points as the All Blacks thrashed Ireland for a convincing six-try victory in Auckland on Saturday night.

The fullback crossed the whitewash and was flawless from the kicking tee in a 42-19 win for New Zealand at Eden Park over the Irish to kick off a three-Test series.

Ireland opened the scoring in the fifth minute after great pressure in the 22 with a try to Keith Earls in the corner. Skipper Jonny Sexton missed the conversion.

But, New Zealand responded midway through the first half when Barrett crashed over following some slick handling and good interplay from the hosts. Barrett added the extras for the Kiwis to go in front for the first time.

Sevu Reece scooped up a loose ball inside his own half and went the distance for the All Blacks’ second try, and Barrett was again on target to double their lead.

The hosts bagged their third – and Barrett converted – five minutes before the break after winning the turnover and Quinn Tupaea dotted down under the sticks.

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Ardie Savea then finished off a cracking kick and chase from Aaron Smith, and Barrett helped himself to another two points, to complete an unreal second quarter for the men in black.

Garry Ringrose opened the second half with Ireland’s second try of the game and flyhalf Joey Carbery – replacing Sexton after a failed HIA – nailed his first attempt at goal.

But, it wasn’t long before Savea burst through several tackles to finish off a neat set-piece move to complete his brace, and Barrett was dead-on yet again.

Ireland upped the ante on attack and Carbery and Josh van der Flier were denied tries following TMO referrals before the end to the third quarter.

Debutant Pita Gus Sowakula dove under the uprights off the back of the scrum to complete the rout for the Kiwis, before New Zealand-born Ireland centre Bundee Aki barged over for a consolation try before the final hooter.

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Devin Hermanus