We’re only at the half way point of course, but it’s doubtful we have ever seen such a complete performance from an Irish team as we have witnessed today.
Written off by all and sundry against one of the best teams to ever grace the game, it was felt that a wounded Ireland would put up a brave battle before being overpowered by the All Blacks juggernaut.
Well Joe Schmidt and his men didn’t read the script and began the game like men possessed, showing the kind of intensity and gameplan that was sorely lacking last week against the Wallabies.
Conor Murray got the ball rolling with an early try and with just 10 minutes on the clock Rory Best barrelled over for a second, with Johnny Sexton adding the extras.
The men in green were simply supreme in every facet of the game, forcing the Kiwis into turnovers and just before the 20 minute mark Rob Kearney sprinted from his own 22 to sent the supporters into dreamland.
Julian Savea got the away side on the scoreboard after a clever kick through from Aaron Cruden, but the Irish heads did not drop and Johnny Sexton added a penalty to give the hosts an unlikely 22-7 interval lead.
There is still a long way to go against such a brilliant side, but that first half couldn’t have gone any better.
