All Blacks captain Scott Barrett: I don't usually take exception but I saw something that was below the line

If there was any real flashpoint then it came 14 minutes in when, after a break in play, Barrett sought out opposing lock Joe McCarthy for a few choice words.

TOUGH NIGHT: Ireland's Jamison Gibson-Park is tackled by New Zealand's Scott Barrett.  Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire.

For all the talk of rivalry and revenge, Ireland’s Friday night meeting with the All Blacks never came close to the infamous clash at the Aviva Stadium in 2016 when the visitors took crude revenge for Ireland’s historic win in Chicago a fortnight before.

If there was any real flashpoint then it came 14 minutes in when, after a break in play, Kiwi captain Scott Barrett sought out opposing lock Joe McCarthy for a few choice words and a bit of argy bargy after the Leinster man had come in contact with Damian McKenzie.