When one goes into battle against a major power, all the forces need to be on deck.
That Ireland lost one of its key players in the 15th minute effectively meant game over and good night for the men in green.
When Jamie Heaslip was properly punished for his knee in the head of All Black skipper Richie McCaw the game in New Plymouth on Saturday night was only going to go one way.
A No 8 is a key player in a side - just look at the amount of work Kieran Read got through for the All Blacks - so when Heaslip had his brain explosion the match for the Irish became about damage limitation.
But the All Blacks did play well against what was a limited Irish side.
They were too fast, too skilful, and just too good against an Irish side which is looking forward to the end of the season.
At times it resembled a training run.
When All Black prop Neemia Tialata scored with 15 minutes to go it looked, and was, too easy.
The All Blacks won quick ball through a series of rucks, and kept getting over the advantage line.
The Irish were penalised and Tialata barged over from 5m out.
All Black centre Conrad Smith said when they started attacking in the first half, it became obvious the Irish were a man down.
"At first I didn't really notice it but when we came to attack they were short-handed, and we made the most of that," Smith said.
"But you can't do anything about it.
You've just got to play what is in front of you."
Ireland was further handicapped when first five-eighth Ronan O'Gara was sent to the sin bin for holding back Cory Jane after 23 minutes.
It almost became comical shortly afterwards when halfback Jimmy Cowan scored his first try.
With two players badly injured, the Irish limped back to the halfway line with just 11 standing.
They should have been in South Africa, not the south Pacific.
The All Blacks played some excellent rugby throughout and nothing should be taken away from their victory which was a record score against Ireland.
Fullback Israel Dagg moved his Highlanders form straight up to the next level, counter-attacking well from the back, and looking calm under pressure.
He said he had told himself just to enjoy the game, and get involved.
"We had worked pretty hard during the week on getting combinations going and the structures right, and working within the back three," Dagg said.
"The game plan was to attack within the back three and to keep it wide.
It's pretty pleasing to start the season like that."
Dagg linked in well with his fellow outsides, and was adept at breaking the first tackle.
Lock Sam Whitelock came off the bench early in the second half to score with his first touch, and he added a second later.
He said the first try was just a case of being in the right place at the right time.
"I was pretty lucky, really. I'm over the moon, really. I suppose it felt pretty surreal for that to happen," Whitelock said.
His father and mother were not at the game, as they were in Argentina watching younger brother Luke play for the New Zealand Colts.
Although it would be hard to single anyone out in a convincing home performance, Read got through plenty of work and first five-eighth Dan Carter, as well as bringing up 1000 points for the All Blacks, showed skills he had hidden throughout the Super 14.
The Irish fought back in the second spell but were well off the pace.
Skipper Brian O'Driscoll fought hard and flanker David Wallace never gave up.
