Ireland tour of New Zealand
Heaslip: Ireland couldn't stand the pace
ESPN Staff
June 10, 2012
Ireland No.8 Jamie Heaslip reflects on defeat, New Zealand v Ireland, Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, June 9, 2012
Ireland No.8 Jamie Heaslip reflects on defeat © Getty Images
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Ireland No.8 Jamie Heaslip has conceded that they failed to deal with the pace of New Zealand's ruck ball during their 42-10 loss to the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday.

The Leinster back-rower was powerless to stop the hosts racking up five tries - three to debutant winger Julian Savea - as halfbacks Aaron Smith and Dan Carter enjoyed an armchair ride from their pack.

"The goal, the thing that everyone is chasing, is quick ball," he said. "Their forwards provided a great launching platform with quick ball off that. With Dan [Carter] pulling the strings, they have really good guys that can hit it up in the middle as well as really good finishers with outstanding pace.

"If those guys can get consistent, quick ball it puts your defensive system under pressure. You know, it was kind of hard, it was very quick at times out there and that's hard to defend against."

Fergus McFadden scored Ireland's only try at Eden Park - the venue for their famous Rugby World Cup win over Australia last year - and Heaslip admitted that they must look after the ball more effectively if they are to trouble a side of New Zealand's calibre.

"I think holding on to the ball rather than turning it over is the best way to play the game," Heaslip said. "When we held on to it I think that we posed some questions and made some inroads in their defence, when he got reasonably quick ball. However, when it slowed right down, their line was set and it was hard to break it down."

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