Ireland pay penalty against All Blacks - Report

Ronan O’Gara suffered another goalkicking disaster as wholehearted Irish endeavour again counted for nothing in Auckland today.

Seven days after missing three vital penalties in a 15-6 first Test defeat in Dunedin, the Irish stand-off failed on four occasions as the All Blacks wrapped up a 2-0 series victory.

Ireland did at least have the consolation of breaking their try-scoring duck through Ulster lock Gary Longwell, but O’Gara will not remember his trip with any affection.

The visitors were 20 points adrift by the time O’Gara made way for David Humphreys, knowing that each missed kick had come at a time when the game was still in the balance.

As it was, New Zealand were able to play out the final quarter under no pressure and the loss of Alan Quinlan to the sin-bin for over-aggressive rucking opened the floodgates.

After their unconvincing performance in Dunedin, coach John Mitchell restored Jonah Lomu to the Kiwis’ starting line-up.

The mighty winger had few chances to run and couldn’t prevent another error-strewn opening which again had the home fans snarling.

Winger Caleb Ralph set the tone by knocking on O’Gara’s first-minute kick under no pressure inside his own 22, and Ireland number eight Anthony Foley twice pinched possession from All Black line-outs.

However, Ireland, looking to celebrate skipper Keith Wood’s 50th cap with their first win over the All Blacks, were unable to take advantage and two Andrew Mehrtens penalties, split by a Brian O’Driscoll drop goal edged the home team in front as the quarter mark passed.

O’Gara’s nightmare was continuing though, and not just in the goalkicking department.

After blowing his first simple kicking chance, the Munster fly-half sprinted out of the defensive line on halfway, leaving a gap which Aaron Mauger sped through to create the opening try.

With O’Driscoll unable to lay a hand on his opposing centre, Mauger headed towards Girvan Dempsey, drawing the full-back in textbook fashion before releasing Leon MacDonald off his shoulder for the opening try.

Ireland did have attacking chances but again ran into a black brick wall, Richie McCaw turning in another outstanding defensive performance to snuff out a series of try-scoring chances.

Two more missed penalties from O’Gara piled more pressure on his coach Eddie O’Sullivan to make a change, but the more reliable Humphreys remained on the bench as the teams re-emerged after the interval.

O’Driscoll did his best to prompt Ireland into action, placing a grubber kick behind the first line of All Black defence, then crunching MacDonald with the tackle.

But the Irish offensive play was largely predictable and eight minutes after the interval Ralph made amends for his earlier blunder by stealing in at the corner for New Zealand’s second try.

It was a simple enough move, sweeping across field after a line-out win, Lomu coming off his wing to feed MacDonald, who stepped inside to create the space which Ralph exploited.

Mehrtens spoiled his 100% record by striking an upright with his conversion attempt but with a 13-point advantage, the home side had the confidence to hunt for more.

Only desperate, and in John Hayes’ case, illegal defending kept the All Blacks out after they had followed up Mehrtens’ kick to the corner scenting blood, but Ireland survived when Malcolm O’Kelly climbed to snatch line-out possession after the home side had booted a penalty to touch.

Mehrtens banged over another penalty to stretch the Kiwis’ lead on the hour but Ireland countered immediately and Longwell grabbed their first try of the series sneaking over from close range through some weak tackling.

Predictably, O’Gara missed the conversion and though Mehrtens was equally unsuccessful with a penalty shot at the other end, Byron Kelleher drove over barely 30 seconds after replacing Justin Marshall.

Quinlan’s departure came soon afterwards and after more All Black pressure, Marty Holah burst through a line of tired defenders to grab his second international score before MacDonald wrapped up a handsome victory five minutes from time.