Rugby: Rampant All Blacks crush Ireland

Sonny Bill Williams crosses to score for the All Blacks against Ireland at Waikato Stadium in...
Sonny Bill Williams crosses to score for the All Blacks against Ireland at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton tonight. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images)
A concerted team effort was demanded of the All Blacks after last week's lacklustre performance in Christchurch and they delivered in spades tonight, thrashing Ireland by 60-0 in Hamilton.

The Irish were shut out of the game after less than 20 minutes.

Chiefs players Sam Cane, Aaron Cruden and Sonny Bill Williams did tonight at Waikato Stadium what they have been doing to opposition Super Rugby teams all season.

The trio were involved in the first three converted tries, Cane starting the rout after five minutes and Williams sticking twin daggers into the Irish with the next two, when combining beautifully with Cruden.

All three were outstanding in their different ways, although Cruden, so sharp and elusive, limped from the field after 23 minutes and didn't return. He joins Dan Carter in the casualty ward but Beauden Barrett, in his first test, was more than steady as his replacement.

Cane, in his first test start, was outstanding - he has a David Pocock-like presence at the breakdown, and, like the Wallabies' flanker, rarely gets penalised. Williams was almost unstoppable at second-five and played his best game of the series.

Ben Smith's first test try after 22 minutes meant there was no way back for Ireland and referee Romain Poite confirmed it after the halftime hooter when he harshly sinbinned fullback Rob Kearney for intentionally knocking down a pass when it appeared that he was going for the intercept.

Down to 14 men, an already one-sided game could only get more so.

This was the All Blacks' biggest win margin over Ireland beating the 59-6 thrashing in Wellington in 1992.

Cane scored his second under the posts only minutes into the second half and it was a case of damage limitation for the men in green who would have sorely wished they had flown home after their 22-19 defeat at AMI Stadium.

Tries to Hosea Gear, Liam Messam, Israel Dagg, Adam Thomson completed the rout. It was a disappointing way for Ireland, who had offered so much last week, to end their tour.

There was plenty not to like from the All Blacks, though, meaning coach Steve Hansen will be eager to get his hands on his players ahead of the Rugby Championship as soon as the Super Rugby season finishes on August 4.

Kick-off receptions were often a shambles, with Richie McCaw's hands in particular not improving after his problems in Christchurch.

But, in fairness, it's hard to quibble with a victory of this nature and particularly after such a spectacular start.

Cruden channelled Chiefs teammate Williams when putting Cane over for the first try with a flick pass, and the inside backs combined a mere five minutes later, the second-five galloping over after a brilliant shimmy and assist from the little playmaker.

The third featured the pair yet again. Cruden standing up the defence and Williams hitting the ball at an irresistible angle to stroll through several weak tackles.

Conrad Smith unselfishly put his namesake Ben away for the fourth after 22 minutes.

The All Blacks were having trouble with their hands even before the rain began, but they had such a wealth of possession it hardly mattered. The sight of Brian O'Driscoll throwing a wild pass over the sideline when Ireland looked promising wouldn't have pleased him or his coaches.

Although their scrum looked strong, it wasn't as good as last week in Christchurch and their one opportunity in the first half, when they had consecutive set pieces 5m from the All Blacks' line, was wasted.

A tough, unrewarding tour for Ireland. Their search for that elusive victory after 107 years continues.

All Blacks 60 (Sam Cane 2, Sonny Bill Williams 2, Ben Smith, Hosea Gear, Liam Messam, Israel Dagg, Adam Thomson tries; Beauden Barrett 3, Aaron Cruden 2, Israel Dagg cons; Beauden Barrett pen), Ireland 0. HT: 26-0

 

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