15 ROB KEARNEYLost the ball in contact a couple of times but he was much more physical in defence, including one fine scrambling tackle on Mils Muliaina. He needs to develop his offloading game in contact. 5/10

5 MICK O’DRISCOLL

There was definitely a lack of communication and precision when it came to the re-starts but his work-rate in general play couldn’t be faulted until injury intervened.

6/10

9 EOIN REDDAN

The benefit of video analysis will instruct him that Tommy Bowe had half a yard on Hosea Gear when the scrumhalf made his excellent break; he should have passed instead of kicked. A good display overall though.

6/10

7 DAVID WALLACE

He just suffered one of those afternoons when every error was a high profile one. His commitment could not be faulted or his work ethic but those mistakes will have disappointed him.

5/10

4 DONNCHA O’CALLAGHAN

He was responsible for the turnover in the build-up to Ireland’s second penalty of the game. Worked his socks off in terms of the heavy lifting duties: occasionally needs to appreciate space or offload rather than heading for contact.

6/10

11 LUKE FITZGERALD

Things just didn’t go right on an afternoon that saw him limp off with an injury. One or two questionable decisions in attack and defence from which he’ll no doubt learn.

4/10

1 CIAN HEALY

Indiscipline at ruck time remains an issue but it shouldn’t camouflage a tremendously aggressive defensive display. Put in a huge volume of tackles and was sinned against as much as sinning at scrum time.

7/10

14 TOMMY BOWE

Made several half breaks but despite getting his hands free to offload the ball his team-mates weren’t running lucrative trail lines: it’s time for the Irish backs to gamble more in support of ball carrier.

6/10

2 RORY BEST

He was unfortunately injured early on at a point when he had made a very good start to the game, particularly in defence. Requires a cheekbone operation that will keep him sidelined for a while.

6/10

12 GORDON D’ARCY

Tackle count was enormous and hugely effective in both turning over possession and slowing down opposition ball. His distribution was outstanding while in tandem with O’Driscoll he negated the All Black midfield.

8/10

10 JONATHAN SEXTON

Demonstrated his ability to run a game given a decent platform while kicking brilliantly from the placed ball and was impressively physical in defence: managed Ireland’s attack gambits with calm assurance.

7/10

8 JAMIE HEASLIP

He was omnipresent in attack and defence, a lung-bursting effort in an excellent performance. Reclaimed the re-start and then gave the scoring pass for Ireland’s first try.

7/10

13 BRIAN O’DRISCOLL

His brilliant one-handed pick-up at full tilt and pirouette through three tackles for the try commandeered the headlines in a generally high quality performance.

7/10

3 TOM COURT

He forced New Zealand’s most capped prop and his opposite number into conceding a couple of penalties at scrum time. Great turnover after Muliaina break: fine performance.

7/10

6 STEPHEN FERRIS

Some ferocious tackles and carried ball with his customary aggression. He boasts great feet in traffic and speed too, which he might look to use a little more rather than bullocking in a straight line: very good, though.

7/10