It seems reports of the All Blacks’ demise have been greatly exaggerated. A middling Rugby Championship campaign had made for an uncertain start to Scott Robertson’s tenure as New Zealand head coach,

The All Blacks dominated ball and territory, won the battles in the air and the set-pieces, and largely controlled proceedings against Ireland, which lost at home for the first time in nearly four years. The Irish under pressure conceded 13 penalties (to ...

IRELAND WALKED TOWARDS the haka, setting a defiant tone, but their challenge against the All Blacks ended with something of a whimper. There was plenty of stern resistance from Andy Farrell’s men in defence in their opening November Test but ultimately they were well short of their best.