Outmanoeuvring an Ireland team who managed to upset their usual flow, the All Blacks achieved a 26-13 winning start to their northern tour and immediately set their sights on Scotland in Edinburgh at the weekend.

“Maybe they ARE undercooked,” a glum Alan concluded at full-time. “It felt very much like a pre-2016 performance against the All Blacks,” said Shane, Joe not exactly lifting his spirits by suggesting that “Ireland didn’t defend brilliantly, Ireland didn’t attack brilliantly, lineout continued to wobble”. Apart from that, all went smoothly.

Ireland were defeated 26-13 by the All Blacks at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday. Here are our player ratings on a forgettable night.

Phil Gifford is a Contributing Sports Writer for NZME. He is one of the most-respected voices in New Zealand sports journalism. The All Blacks overcame a poor first half to defeat Ireland 26-13 in Chicago.

Some praised the win as a spirited comeback, while others emphasised the Irish side's collapse in the second half.

Nine years on from an historic success over the All Blacks, Ireland return to Chicago to take on New Zealand again. Then coached by Joe Schmidt, Ireland secured their first ever victory over the world champions at Soldier Field in 2016,

Ireland threatened a repeat of their 2016 heroics at Soldier Field as they opened up a 10-0 lead, courtesy of a Jack Crowley penalty and a Tadhg Furlong try, despite being down a man due to Tadhg Beirne’s red card – more on that shortly.