CHRISTCHURCH: Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll knew an elusive victory against world champions New Zealand had slipped through his fingers yesterday when his side were beaten 22-19 in frigid conditions in Christchurch.
The All Blacks needed an 80th-minute drop goal from flyhalf Daniel Carter to seal the victory and the three-match series with a game to spare.
Ireland, who have not beaten New Zealand in 26 matches stretching back 107 years, had threatened to snap that drought at Rugby League Park.
Drawing level at 19-19 and with the opportunity to take the lead after New Zealand fullback Israel Dagg was yellow carded, flyhalf Jonathan Sexton’s long-range penalty goal dropped just short.
The All Blacks were then able to maintain their composure, win a defensive scrum penalty and march down field to set up Carter’s opportunity.
“It’s difficult to assess when it’s raw,” O’Driscoll, sporting a massive welt above his right eye, told a media conference.
“It’s difficult when you have fought your way back to be level on the board and they were a man down for the last seven or eight minutes, it’s difficult right now to find the positives but I’m sure when we look back at the video there will be plenty of them.
“The fact we’ve got one more go next week is definitely a positive. We don’t have to finish our season on that (result). We give ourselves another opportunity in Hamilton.”
O’Driscoll’s team had dragged their way back into the match after the All Blacks had seemingly grabbed the momentum when scrumhalf Aaron Smith scored his first test try shortly after halftime.
Several handling errors and penalties at the breakdown, however, created opportunities for Ireland as Sexton slotted home three penalties to level the score at 19-19.