TWELVE MONTHS AGO, Ireland pulled off a historic victory over the All Blacks on their way to the final of the U20 World Championship but this current group never came close to repeating those heroics this afternoon.
Successive defeats to Italy and Scotland had already blocked Ireland’s passage through to the semi-finals, and they were brutally exposed by a rampant New Zealand outfit who will take some stopping in this tournament.
Conor Fitzgerald’s early penalty gave Ireland the perfect start in sweltering heat in Kutaisi but that was as good as it got for Peter Malone’s charges as they leaked 11 tries on the way to a huge defeat.
Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan helped themselves to hat-tricks as Ireland were blown away by a sensational All Blacks performance, with their expansive running and offloading game simply too much to handle.
The contest was over at half-time, at which point Ireland trailed 31-3, and it only got worse after the break as New Zealand ran in five more tries as well as keeping Ireland scoreless.
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It was a far cry from that famous win in Manchester a year ago and means Ireland finish bottom of Pool B with just two bonus points to their name from three group outings.
While New Zealand were a joy to watch with their squad containing several freakishly talented individuals, Ireland made it all too easy for them as they were caught narrow far too often and their general defensive organisation was non-existent.
Tiaan Falcon goes over for a try. World Rugby / Badri Ketiladze/INPHO
World Rugby / Badri Ketiladze/INPHO / Badri Ketiladze/INPHO
Malone’s side will need to pick themselves up for next week’s placing matches, which take place on Tuesday and Sunday. Ireland’s opponents have yet to be confirmed.
Speaking after the game, the head coach had no complaints about the result and praised New Zealand for their ‘super performance.’
“Credit to New Zealand, it was a super performance and they fully deserved their victory,” he said.
“We couldn’t live with them. We thought we’d try and upset them with our line speed but we didn’t. We’re disappointed. We thought we’d give it a good crack and might get a bit closer, but it was all about New Zealand today.
“Next week will be a massive game for us against whoever we are playing. Results have been disappointing, but we’re a good group and we have worked hard and I think the guys will be able to regroup and get themselves mentally right.”
Ireland no match for sensational All Blacks as Malone's men slip to big defeat
Ireland 3
New Zealand 69
TWELVE MONTHS AGO, Ireland pulled off a historic victory over the All Blacks on their way to the final of the U20 World Championship but this current group never came close to repeating those heroics this afternoon.
Successive defeats to Italy and Scotland had already blocked Ireland’s passage through to the semi-finals, and they were brutally exposed by a rampant New Zealand outfit who will take some stopping in this tournament.
Conor Fitzgerald’s early penalty gave Ireland the perfect start in sweltering heat in Kutaisi but that was as good as it got for Peter Malone’s charges as they leaked 11 tries on the way to a huge defeat.
Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan helped themselves to hat-tricks as Ireland were blown away by a sensational All Blacks performance, with their expansive running and offloading game simply too much to handle.
The contest was over at half-time, at which point Ireland trailed 31-3, and it only got worse after the break as New Zealand ran in five more tries as well as keeping Ireland scoreless.
It was a far cry from that famous win in Manchester a year ago and means Ireland finish bottom of Pool B with just two bonus points to their name from three group outings.
While New Zealand were a joy to watch with their squad containing several freakishly talented individuals, Ireland made it all too easy for them as they were caught narrow far too often and their general defensive organisation was non-existent.
Malone’s side will need to pick themselves up for next week’s placing matches, which take place on Tuesday and Sunday. Ireland’s opponents have yet to be confirmed.
Speaking after the game, the head coach had no complaints about the result and praised New Zealand for their ‘super performance.’
“Credit to New Zealand, it was a super performance and they fully deserved their victory,” he said.
“Next week will be a massive game for us against whoever we are playing. Results have been disappointing, but we’re a good group and we have worked hard and I think the guys will be able to regroup and get themselves mentally right.”
IRELAND: 15. Alan Tynan (Young Munster/ Munster), 14. Michael Silvester (Dublin University/Leinster), 13. Jack Kelly (Dublin University/ Leinster), 12. David McCarthy (Garryowen/Munster), 11. Liam Coombes (Garryowen/Munster), 10. Conor Fitzgerald (Shannon/Munster), 9. Jonny Stewart (Queen’s University/ Ulster); 1. Joey Conway (UL Bohemians/Munster), 2. Adam Moloney (Shannon/Munster), 3. Greg McGrath (Lansdowne/ Leinster), 4. Gavin Coombes (Young Munster/ Munster), 5. Jack Regan (UCD/ Leinster), 6. Marcus Rea (Queen’s University/Ulster), 7. John Foley (Shannon/Munster), 8. Sean Masterson (Corinthians/ Connacht).
NEW ZEALAND: 15. Will Jordan (Tasman), 14. Tima Faingaanuku (Tasman), 13. Braydon Ennor (Canterbury), 12. Orbyn Leger (Counties Manukau), 11. Caleb Clarke (Auckland), 10. Tiaan Falcon (Hawke’s Bay), 9. Ereatara Enari (VC) (Canterbury); 1. Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Auckland), 2. Asafo Aumua (Wellington), 3. Alex Fidow (Wellington), 4. Isaia Walker-Leawere (Wellington), 5. Sam Caird (Waikato), 6. Sam Slade (Auckland), 7. Tom Christie (Canterbury), 8. Luke Jacobson (C) (Waikato).
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