New Zealand beat Ireland 15-6 in a hard-fought first test on Saturday as the tourists proved far tougher opponents than many were expecting.

　　The All Blacks were clearly rattled by Ireland's harrying defence and they forced a surprising number of handling errors from their hosts.

　　But New Zealand did score the game's two tries. The first came against the run of play in the 34th minute, right-wing Doug Howlett crossing unopposed in the corner after a clean break from fly-half Andrew Mehrtens.

　　The game-winning try was scored by fullback Leon MacDonald in the 77th minute after substitute Jonah Lomu had tidied up a loose ball before feeding the All Black backline.

　　Ireland matched their hosts in most phases of the game but lacked a reliable kicker to take advantage of some sustainned periods of pressure.

　　Ronan O'Gara, preferred to David Humphreys at flyhalf, missed four kickable penalties which, had they been converted, would have given Ireland the lead goingsintosthe final quarter.

　　O'Gara was eventually replaced by Humphreys but it was too late as the Irish failed to win any penalties in the closing minutes of the game.