Ireland fail to show in disappointing Maori defeat

Be careful what you wish for.

Andy Farrell said he wanted this tour to be tough. Based on this morning's 32-17 defeat to the Maori All Blacks, he's got that and more.

Not only were an Ireland XV blitzed in the second quarter of the game, but the defeat came at a big cost. Jeremy Loughman had a HIA in the opening minutes before permanently leaving at half-time, while James Hume, Jimmy O'Brien and Cian Healy all hobbled off in the second half, the latter of whom needed to be carted off with an ankle injury.

The injuries are no excuse though, the damage had been done long before, with Ireland ripped apart in the opening half.

With five uncapped players and a combined 25 caps across 12 of his starting team, it would have been understandable and even expected for cohesion to be a bit off.

The four tries conceded will all be disappointing, but the nature of the Maori's final score right on half time will hurt the most. They ran the ball from deep in their own half, and despite seemingly making a mess of the attack, flanker Billy Proctor had all the time in Hamilton to control the ball with his feet before allowing Cullen Grace score, and the Irish chasing pack nowhere to be seen.

That score made it 32-10 at half time, Ireland's only points to that point being a well-worked Bundee Aki try, as well as a conversion and penalty from Ciarán Frawley.

After such a poor end to the first half, it was only natural Ireland began the second with high intensity, but after they failed to land their punch, hopes of a comeback were ended.

Gavin Coombes drove in for a try in the final quarter, but by then Ireland's hopes were more about getting to Saturday's first Test without any more injuries.

It could be a long few weeks.

After the extended ceremony