Blair shines in All Black win
November 14, 2001

Fullback Ben Blair has made a brilliant international debut, scoring a hat-trick of tries on the way to a personal tally of 38 points as the All Blacks beat Ireland A 43-30 in Belfast on Tuesday.

As well as his three tries, Blair also kicked nine goals from as many attempts in a dream first game for New Zealand, who led 23-6 at half-time and were never seriously challenged.

Paddy Wallace and Blair (pictured) swapped penalties early in the match, before No 8 Paul Miller found his way through a ruck to finish the move started by Roger Randle and notch the All Blacks' first try of the tour after 11 minutes.

Blair scored the second try of the game nine minutes later when he ran on to a superb pass from flyhalf David Hill and left his opposite number Gavin Duffy stranded to score untouched, and when he made the conversion the score was 17-6.

On the stroke of half-time Scottish referee Rob Dickson sin-binned loose forward Jerry Collins for a high tackle on Shane Byrne, and the Irish made the most of the advantage with penalties to Wallace in the 45th, 48th and 53rd minutes to narrow the gap to 23-15.

But Blair then put his stamp on the game again, putting it beyond the home side's reach with a pair of converted tries three minutes apart, the first of which ended a move that saw New Zealand sweep the ball across the field twice.

Going into the game with nine new players, four of whom including Blair were younger than 23, new coach John Mitchell would have been pleased by his team's attacking, although possibly worried by how many points they conceded against an undermanned team.

Scores:

New Zealand - Tries: Ben Blair (3), Paul Miller; Conversions: Blair (4); Penalties: Blair (5).

Ireland A - Tries: Horgan (2); Conversion: PAul Wallace. Penalty Goals: Wallace (6).

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