A superb Brian O Driscoll try converted by Ronan O Gara, who added three penalties has Ireland in a 16-8 lead at half-time in the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton. And it s a lead they richly deserve at the end of a first half that saw them fall behind to a first minute Dougie Howlett try, scored when the All Blacks ran ball from inside their own 22.

The Ireland response was a marvellous try from O Driscoll after Ireland had won a lineout and spread the ball right for the captain to jink his way past the Kiwi defenders.