Kiwis Show Irish How It's Done

Ireland 3

New Zealand 22

IRELAND were left to rue a rash decision from winger Tommy Bowe as their 103-year wait for a victory over New Zealand was cruelly extended by the All-Blacks at Croke Park on Saturday.

Bowe opted to flick the ball over the sidelines in the 40th minute as Kiwi captain Richie McCaw looked likely to score a try in the corner just before halftime in the big game.

Referee Mark Lawrence awarded a penalty try after consulting with his video official and then sin-binned Bowe in a move that proved decisive.

Ireland, who had clawed their way back to level terms at 3-3 just beforehand after Ronan O'Gara cancelled out a Dan Carter penalty, were shell shocked as they went in for the break after surviving relentless All-Black pressure.

Not even the yellow card dismissal of prop Tony Woodcock for a punch on Rory Best early in the second half could inspire the Irish, who went to concede tries to Ma'a Nonu and Brad Thorn as the clinical All-Blacks closed the game out.

"Obviously it would have been considerably better if we'd gone in at halftime level pegging. The penalty try was a kick in the teeth," said Irish captain Brian O'Driscoll on a day when little went right for his side.

"But we did play the majority of the first half in our own half and eventually the All Blacks will make you pay for that. I didn't see what happened with regards to the try but there were a few times when we scrambled well and managed to hold them out.

"I wouldn't say it was deflating at halftime but there would have been more of a step in us had we been level pegging.

"On another day we could have been the ones to get a breakaway score just before half-time. It's all about momentum.

"New Zealand are a smart team who have clever players in key positions like Dan Carter."

Lackluster throughout on a particularly bad day for O'Gara, Ireland did regain some credibility as they kept their opponents scoreless for the final quarter, and O'Driscoll took pride in that achievement.

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Nster.com