AB's deserved win, but nothing can be judged from this game..O'Driscoll looked like he had hypothermia after game. Ire are MUCH better on firm ground..see 2nd string versus BaBa's last week with temp in 60's..beware Australia next week ! AB's by 20+ over Eng in both tests..Eng are useless !

Nevan O'Shaughnessy, Edenderry, Ireland

Great to see the the kiwi's still think they are the top dogs. For a country that plays 1 sport (cricket is not much to shout about) you guys have lost none of your cookiness. 20 years is a long time for a World Cup guys and the Irish could and should have won only for the fantastic McCaw.

Neil, Brussels,

Ireland were outclassed in a blizzard. The all conquering Welsh were destroyed by South Africa. The British media can harp on all they like about the perceived substandard Super 14 competition but it doesn't seem to to help their teams on the field. England wont get within 30 pts of the AB's

Wozza, Byron Bay, Oz

AB's deserved win..but nothing can be judged from that game..o'driscoll looked like he had hypothermia after game..irish team are better on good ground..see Ba Ba's game last week played on firm ground with temp in 60-70's...and second string team..AB's by 20 plus against England...beware Australia!

Nevan O'Shaughnessy, Edenderry, Ireland

Your scribe lacks objectivity. Most objective comments are from Irish supporters, saying ABs were better team. Both adapted to appalling conditions (I was there). 3 excellent tries. ABs had to adapt to old rules. Irish kicking game was superior to the ABs, but ABs forward pack largely in control.

David, Wellington, New Zealand

Tiresome stuff from John of Dublin. 11 of the starting AB's were NZ born. The other four arrived as babes-in-arms or as school children. Claiming that the Pacific Islands is "feeding" NZ rugby is as ridiculous as claiming that the West Indies feed UK football, cricket and athletics.

Malcolm Page, Auckland, New Zealand

You have a nice nack there Nick. Being able to dismiss a try crafted by Carter's genius as simply something the Irish brought upon themselves is disingenuous. Silly me. I imagined that moments like that were to be lauded, and sides capable of producing them praised. Obviously not.

Paul Waite, Wellington, New Zealand

John of Dublin has been listening to certain rugby scribes, and I suspect he hasn't visited NZ. It's a multiracial Pacific nation these days. Would those who complain about All Black poaching criticize the UK for picking footballers or Olympic athletes of West Indian heritage?

Phil, Auckland, New Zealand

The All Blacks deserved to win they looked the better team on a bad night but its made some way easier when you have 3 additional pacific island countries feeding you thier best players, shame we cant get away with that in Ireland!!

John, Dublin, Ireland

Dream on Nick. The AB forward pack easily had the measure of the Irish and the ABs played controlled Antarctic weather rugby. Had there been better weather conditions last night then the winning margin would have been considerably more.

Peter Annand, Wellington, New Zealand

New Zealand to win by at least 30 points if the track is dry against England.

Sam Bobly, Brisbane, Australia

Interesting this game was very reminiscent of the RWC quarter final. NZ stuck to tight game and dominated possession. It just goes to shows the diffrenence a half decent ref makes.

Peter, clapham, UK

whatever Nick... I look to forward of seeing how your prediction pans out. Mine: ABs to smash england in both tests.

Jay Mann, London, England

Afraid The TImes have let themselves down badly with this story. Conrad Smith the "Star Man"? He was good, but clearly the "Star Man" of the match was Richie McCaw. For Robbie Deans supporters, fair to say I think Richie made a bit of a statement about how he feels to be playing under Henry.

Chris, Tauranga, NZ

Also fair to say I think the ABs have shown some tentative steps towards recovery from their World Cup ailments. More than can be said for the standard of English refereeing - or English journalism for that matter.

Chris, Tauranga, NZ

Another reason not to play night games in NZ during June or July.
ITS COLD and the playing conditions were shocking.
It snowed for the first time in two years here on my house.
The Ab's were rusty as and with only a week together who can blame them.Also the older non super 14 rules ..madness

Mark Cox, Christchurch, NZ

As an Irishman who had been led to believe that we had a chance of first victory over the All Blacks I have to admit that they fully deserved their victory.
Horans penalty concession may have been a turning point but Ireland's soft centre and poor lineout were more critical.
England have no chance

Jim Nolan, Dublin,

is that it ireland? is that the much talked about munster forward pack?? good grief. yes, the all blacks were very rusty for their first game back together. but the irish were awful. and as for england - ummmm... i think the sensible money will be on the AB's.

Mike, Auckland, NZ

Was this hack at the game? If so, could he at least try to hide his NH bias? The ABs won because they were the better team :full stop.England won't get near them, as usual. NZ has won 22 of the 29 games against England, with one draw. Just bear that in mind!

Colin, Wellington, New Zealand

i must say the all blacks are playing a completely different game at the break down; power, pace and precision, and i can't see anyone else competing with them, i can't see england picking up a win over there,
2-0 all blacks.

AJ Turner, singapore, singapore

Two pieces of genius were not the only differences between men and the boys. The author could not have seen the game I saw, with the NZ eight totally dominating the set pieces and only a couple of pieces of Irish luck, and a referee of the disgraced Barnes ilk, keeping them in the game.

Ai Rui Sheng, Shanghai, PRC

After reading that article Im going to have to watch the game again because I must have watched the wrong game. This was an Irish team made up from the so called invincible Munster and Leinster against an NZ team that hasnt played at all for 8 months?.
You were expecting what exactly?.

Gardy, Wellington, New Zealand

Gosh, what a startlingly negative review of a game played in truly awful conditions. Both teams managed to extract as much as out of it as any two teams could have. Any serious rugby person could not draw and firm conclusions of the future from this game, it was Antarctic! NZ did look better though

Paul, Sydney, Australia

Is this hack seriously making shrill predictions of doom based on this Antarctic event? NZ play a tight 10 man game, unlike the "frothy stuff" supposedly played in the Super 14, under NH conditions, with a NH referee and NH rules and still he looks for fault? Ireland played well, NZ played better.

Paul, Sydney, Australia

You briefly mention wet & windy...more like they were playing in a cyclone.It was pouring cats & dogs out there & looked freezing, which is always a great leveler for any side. I still thought the AB forward pack were miles better than this much vaunted Munster outfit. ABs by 15 over England.

Frankie, Brisbane, Australia

As an Irish and Munster man I have to admit that the All Blacks were streets ahead of us in the forwards. we looked slow and pedestrian. Look out England

pat, cork, ireland

Let's take stock...

England have a caretaker coach, new players, no clear direction, underachieved in the 6 Nations & struggled to beat a poor Barbarians side. They also travel halfway around the world to play against a team unbeaten at home in over 30 games.

All Blacks by 13+ both games.

Peter Flinkenberg, Dublin, Ireland

Don't know what game your correspondent was watching, are the pubs open early? Ireland were brave but one-dimensional. They offered nothing but typical spoiling tactics, and a non-productive rolling maul in the second half. The All Blacks on a dry pitch would have put 40 points on them

David, Manchester,

The conditions were the worst O'Driscoll and McCaw have played in recent times (both said this after the match) so impossible to judge either side - wishful thinking to suggest Englands 2nd string team's chances are suddenly enhanced against full strength AB side at home. 2-0 as expected.

jack, London,