Ireland's Eden Park Reality Check After a Winning Start Down Under

Ireland came to New Zealand in fine shape, and for two weekends they looked every bit the No. 3 side in the world. Then they met the All Blacks at Eden Park.

Andy Farrell's team opened their Nations Championship campaign with a comeback win over Australia, then followed it up with a 36-20 victory over Japan in Newcastle. As Sky Sports reported, a much-changed Ireland side made it two wins from two, with debutant Sean Jansen taking player of the match and Farrell handing out four debuts. It was the kind of squad depth that has made Ireland one of the northern hemisphere's most consistent teams.

The Eden Park test was a different story. 1News reported that the All Blacks ran in six tries to three in a 40-21 win, leading 28-7 by the interval and never letting Ireland back into the contest. It was, by the outlet's account, the home side's most complete performance of the year.

Even in victory, All Blacks coach Dave Rennie was quick to credit the visitors. "They're such a good side, Ireland," Rennie told 1News, adding that his team had asked a lot of questions of them.

The result also fed one of world rugby's most extraordinary streaks. New Zealand have now not lost at Eden Park in 53 tests, a run that stretches back more than three decades. As RNZ noted, the win extended that unbeaten record to 53 matches at the Auckland ground, a fortress no touring side has cracked since 1994.

For Ireland, the Eden Park trip leaves them at two wins from three in the Nations Championship, still very much in the hunt with the November block against Argentina, Fiji and South Africa to come. A single loss on the toughest ground in world rugby is no reason to doubt a team that started the window so strongly.

From a New Zealand point of view, it was a reminder of how much this Ireland side can bring, and how special an Eden Park record like this really is. Farrell's group will be back, and on this evidence the next meeting with the All Blacks should be worth the wait.