In a one-sided affair the All Blacks ran up a record total against the Irish, with Jimmy Cowan, Conrad Smith and Sam Whitelock all crossing twice.

Having seen a Carter penalty sail over early on, the home side grabbed the first try of the game in the tenth minute courtesy of centre Smith - who took full advantage of some lacklustre Rob Kearney defending to cross over.

British and Irish Lion Heaslip was red-carded six minutes later, after referee Wayne Barnes spotted him deliberately driving his knee into an opposition player at a ruck on the All Black line.

The card was to prove a costly error as New Zealand forward Kieran Read powered his way over from close range five minutes after Heaslip’s infringement.

Carter then successfully converted the try and became only the fourth man in history to pass the 1,000 point-mark in international rugby.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors in the 24th minute when the men in green were reduced to 13 men after fly-half Ronan O’Gara was yellow-carded for a cynical pull-back on winger Cory Jane.

Graham Henry’s side took full advantage of the situation - firstly prop Ben Franks burrowed over then lively scrum-half Jimmy Cowan crossed over twice to increase the All Black’s advantage.

Ireland did manage to register just before the break when substitute lock Dan Tuohy scampered over for his first Test try to make the scoreline 38-7 at the half-time interval.

The second-half started very much as the first had ended with winger Jane setting up Smith to cross over for his second and replacement Piri Weepua showing swift hands to allow Zac Guildford to run in the first of his two scores.

Carter then converted the try, landing his eighth successful kick from eight attempts to ease the hosts to a 52-7 lead.

But the Irish refused to lie down in the second period and to their credit deservedly battled themselves back in to the game to add a look of respectability to the score line.

Firstly talismanic skipper Brian O’Driscoll crashed over for his 40th international try and then winger Tommy Bowe grabbed an opportunistic score, intercepting a wayward Richie McCaw pass in front of the posts.

Gordon D’Arcy also stretched over five minutes from time, but scores from Neemia Tialata and Whitelock in the closing stages ensured it was the All Blacks who had the final say.