Ireland hopeful on Johnny Sexton's chances of making second Test against New Zealand

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell revealed captain Johnny Sexton could be available for next Saturday's second Test against New Zealand.

Sexton was forced off after half an hour of a punishing first Test in Auckland after suffering a head injury.

But the 36-year-old satisfied a post-match assessment and will undergo further tests to determine whether he can feature in Dunedin on Saturday.

"Johnny is good, he is in fine spirits," said Farrell.

"HIA (head injury assessment) two is passed, HIA three will hopefully be passed in a few days. If that happens, it’s concussion not confirmed."

Sexton departed in the aftermath of Sevu Reece’s breakaway try and did not return, having slipped and collided with New Zealand captain Sam Cane in the build-up.

That proved to be a pivotal few moments during a contest in which Ireland initially showed the greater enterprise.

But they faded fast from the dream start of Keith Earls’ early score, with Reece’s solo finish the second of four tries in 18 first-half minutes from the ruthless All Blacks.

Ireland enjoyed 58 per cent overall possession at Eden Park and managed to draw the second half having trailed 28-5 at the break.

Farrell was also left questioning some of the decisions of English referee Karl Dickson at the breakdown.

New Zealand's Scott Barrett – who was labelled a "lucky boy" by England World Cup winner Ben Kay – appeared to catch rival blindside flanker Peter O’Mahony in the head with his shoulder in a ruck clear-out late on.

"The interpretation of the breakdown, we need some answers as far as that’s concerned so we can put our own stuff right, because there are a few things that were going on there that we’ll need to get clarified," said Farrell, who has added Ulster centre Stuart