O’Mahony learns lessons from best

It was only his second start in his fledgling Irish career, but Peter O’Mahony did not look out of place at Eden Park against Richie McCaw and Kieran Read.

It was a tough night for the Irish pack with O’Mahony and Co. having to make 123 tackles as wave after wave of All Black attacks pounded the Irish defence.

The Munster back-rower put in a solid shift and helped set up Ireland’s sole touchdown of the night when he gave an exquisite pass from the base of a ruck to Jonathan Sexton, who kicked ahead for Fergus McFadden’s breakaway try.

The pace of the game eventually took its toll on the 22-year-old, who was replaced on the hour mark by Leinster flanker Kevin McLaughlin, and O’Mahony admitted the step-up was considerable against the best rugby team in the world.

“Test rugby is a step up again and the All Blacks are probably a bit more of a step up,” said the Cork Constitution flanker. “It certainly was a great learning curve for me personally but we have got to learn quickly as a team.”

Ireland shot themselves in the foot on several occasions with their lack of accuracy with ball in hand, duly punished by New Zealand’s all-action back three of Israel Dagg, Zac Guildford and Julian Savea.

At 9-3, Ireland were well in the game only to undone by a litany of unforced errors as the home side began to put the squeeze on their opponents.

“Giving away that many turnovers to a team like that is going to do no one’s health any good,” said O’Mahony on Ireland’s profligacy with ball in hand. “We’ll have a look at it during the week.”

Ireland found themselves on the wrong side of referee Nigel Owens on several occasions, particularly at the breakdown. O’Mahony admitted that Ireland had work to do to address their high penalty count from week one of the series.

“Their intensity was certainly way up there and quickness to the ball we certainly need to address that for our own breakdown.”

While Ireland’s lineout went reasonably well, with O’Mahony providing a great option at the tail, their scrum was under huge pressure for the duration, while the Irish pack seemed to be caught unawares by New Zealand’s tactics at kick-offs.

Dan Carter repeatedly kicked short and varied his restarts; a tactic which bore rich dividends for his side who regained possession on numerous occasions.

All Black number eight Read almost scored a spectacular solo-try off one particular restart, and O’Mahony admitted that his team would have to tune in for next Saturday’s Test in Christchurch.

“We knew that they switch about but we didn’t deal well enough with it,” he said. “That’s another area we’re going to have to get better at.”