All Blacks see off Ireland

New Zealand moved a step closer to completing another European grand slam after dismantling Ireland 38-18 in Dublin.

The All Blacks made is three wins from three on their northern hemisphere tour thanks to a stunning start to the second half at the Aviva Stadium.

Having led 19-13 at the break, the visitors ran in two tries in the space of four minutes to blow what had been a tight game wide open.

Fly-half Dan Carter converted them both on his way to an 18-point haul, leaving him just four shy of becoming the leading scorer in Test history.

Tough scoreline

The final scoreline, coming hot on the heels of disappointing displays against South Africa and Samoa in front of their own fans, suggested it had been another 80 minutes to forget for Ireland.

However Declan Kidney's side did produce some thrilling rugby and were dominant in the final quarter, albeit with New Zealand already victorious.

They had still been in contention at the end of a first half that saw both sides manage a try apiece.

Carter kicked three penalties in the opening half hour but the home side responded with six points from the boot of Jonathan Sexton, who knocked over his first attempt from inside his own half.

Despite the All Blacks looking the most likely it was Ireland who eventually touched down first - albeit in controversial circumstances.

Stephen Ferris went over out wide but referee Marius Jonker failed to spot that the offload to the flanker had been a long way forward. Undeterred, Sexton landed the conversion to put his team ahead for the first time.

New Zealand's response was emphatic. First Carter hit his fourth penalty before adding the conversion after Anthony Boric had ended a series of runs by crashing over just before the interval.

The visitors then quickly picked up from where they left off when play got back underway in the second half.

Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Jerome Kaino were all involved in a brilliant move that led to number eight Kieran Read going over for the first of his two tries.

Substitute Sam Whitelock crossed again for the visitors just four minutes later, though only thanks to Jonker again missing a forward pass in the build-up.

Career tally

Carter was on target with the extras on each occasion, moving him just three points adrift of current record-holder Jonny Wilkinson's total of 1,178.

To Ireland's credit they responded to New Zealand's blitz with a try of their own from centre Brian O'Driscoll, who did superbly well to pick up a grounded ball and dive over the line.

Sexton missed the conversion but Ireland suddenly had belief; Denis Leamy carelessly knocked on with the line beckoning while only a great tackle by Cory Jane denied Keith Earls going in at the left corner.

Yet, somehow, it was the clinical All Blacks who had the last word; Read thundering over for his second of the contest in the final minute.

For once Carter proved unable to land his kick, at least proving that he is human after all, but it was a rare blip for New Zealand on a night that saw Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina both win their 93rd caps, taking them beyond former captain Sean Fitzpatrick's record.

Now only Wales stand in the way of Graham Henry's troops completing their third grand slam in five years.