The All Blacks might have blown Ireland away by a record 60-0 margin with clinical attack, but the team’s defence pleased captain Richie McCaw just as much.
Last week’s close game in Christchurch, in which the All Blacks needed a late Dan Carter drop goal to win, was quickly put in the past as four tries in the first 25 minutes put the game beyond Ireland’s reach.
The All Blacks were hungrier at the breakdown, hit the line harder in attack and showed determination in defence to keep a clean sheet once the result was known.
It reflected a stronger effort in training after the team was unhappy with their performance in last week’s 22-19 heartstopper.
“The attitude is usually reflected with your defence and I thought that’s where we made the biggest shift this week,” McCaw said.
“To keep that going for 80 minutes and still score those tries was pleasing.”
The All Blacks were without Carter and Kieran Read but their youthful replacements Aaron Cruden, who was instrumental in the first four tries before limping off, and Sam Cane both produced strong games.
McCaw shifted into Read’s position so Cane could play at openside flanker and Cane’s effort gives coach Steve Hansen some options about managing McCaw’s workload.
“He’s the best number seven in the world and now we’ve got someone who might allow us to make sure he’s around for a lot longer.”
A Sonny Bill Williams double and tries to Cane and Ben Smith took the score to 26-0 after 25 minutes and second-half tries to Cane, Hosea Gear, Liam Messam, Israel Dagg and Adam Thomson rounded out the victory.
Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll said the loss was difficult to take after getting so close in Christchurch.
“Once you give them three scores in 20 minutes, they’re just a different team – when they get that buffer and start playing with an incredible freedom.
“They smashed us (at the breakdown) today and, as a result, we weren’t able to put together any phases,” O’Driscoll said.