Six-try All Blacks thump Ireland to extend unbeaten run at Eden Park

The result keeps the All Blacks' campaign firmly on track with a full haul of points from their first three matches, and gives them some valuable momentum ahead of the start of next month's Greatest Rivalry series against the Springboks.

New Zealand made a fast start in front of their home crowd, with Patrick Tuipulotu crossing for the opening try after 15 minutes before Ruben Love added the conversion. Ardie Savea then doubled the hosts' advantage when he peeled off the back of the scrum and powered through the Irish defence.

Ireland fought their way back into the contest through Jack Conan, who crashed over after a clever pass from Jamison Gibson-Park. 

However, New Zealand struck back almost immediately as Will Jordan pounced on an Irish error to score, before Asafo Aumua powered over for the All Blacks' fourth try shortly before half-time as the hosts took a commanding 28-7 lead into the break.

Ireland responded strongly after the interval, with Joe McCarthy forcing his way over after sustained pressure on the New Zealand line, before Sam Prendergast's conversion gave the visitors renewed hope at 28-14.

But the All Blacks absorbed the pressure before eventually extending their lead. After a lengthy period of possession inside the Irish 22, Damian McKenzie finally found a way through the defence to score New Zealand's fifth try, with Love adding the extras.

Ireland refused to go away and were rewarded for their persistence when Hugo Keenan finished off a brilliant attacking move after a pinpoint touch kick from Prendergast. The flyhalf converted to bring Ireland back to within two scores at 35-21.

The closing stages saw Ireland defend wave after wave before their resistance eventually ended when Anton Lienert-Brown crossed in the 79th minute to seal victory for the All Blacks.

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