All Blacks down Ireland 42-19 at Eden Park

:The All Blacks weathered Irish storms at the start of each half but responded with six tries to open their 2022 season with a hardfought 42-19 victory in Auckland on Saturday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Ardie Savea scored either side of halftime - his first in a blitz of three tries in eight minutes - as New Zealand avenged a 29-20 loss in Dublin last November and extended their unbeaten run at Eden Park to 47 tests over 28 years.

Ireland will take confidence for the Dunedin and Wellington tests from dominating for extended periods and breaching the New Zealand line for tries by winger Keith Earls, centre Garry Ringrose and Auckland-born midfield replacement Bundee Aki.

Fullback Jordie Barrett scored a try and converted all six for the All Blacks, while winger Sevu Reece, centre Quinn Tupaea and debutant loose forward Pita Gus Sowakula also crossed for the home side.

"We're pretty pleased, that's a good start to the year for sure," said All Blacks captain Sam Cane.

"We were good for patches, certainly a good start but we've got a lot to work on. The boys defended really well, right until the end as well."

Ireland, who had won three of the last five meetings between the nations but never beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand, came out firing and crucially won the early battle of the breakdown.

Earls went over for his 35th test try after five minutes and Jordie Barrett's response for New Zealand 16 minutes later was against the run of play.

HEAD KNOCK

The Irish were again on the attack after half an hour when Reece scooped up an errant pass and raced away for New Zealand's second try and there was a second blow for the visitors when skipper Johnny Sexton was forced off after a head knock.

The All Blacks were