The Irish opened up a 23-15 lead and were still ahead with nine minutes remaining at the Waikato Stadium but three Luke McAlister penalties clawed the hosts back in front and a Troy Flavell try settled it late on.

Tries from Brian ODriscoll and Andrew Trimble had given the Irish real hope of a first success over the All Blacks in 101 years of competition.

It was a tough, torrid affair with superb Irish tackling matching their promised attack but it was the failure to seize chances that again cost them.

New Zealands poor line-out made life difficult for the hosts, who were also guilty of firing unnecessary passes, several of which were intercepted by the Irish.

The All Blacks backs struggled to break through with full-back Mils Muliaina and centre Ma'a Nonu several times held in strong Irish tackles but in the end the visitors were worn down.

The All Blacks hit the game running and attacked from the kick-off.

After only one minute Muliaina broke the Irish defence and raced into space. It was obvious the try-scoring chance was on as only full-back Geordan Murphy was in position to offer resistance.

And with support on either side, Muliaina passed out to Aaron Mauger.

Mauger did not have the speed to break clear but passed wide to right wing Doug Howlett, who grounded the ball in a despairing tackle in the corner.

The All Blacks were unable to control a line-out take they stole from Ireland and from the Irish did better at the second line-out.

The ball was spun wide with Gordon D'Arcy feeding a long pass for captain and centre O'Driscoll to race into space to score.

O'Gara added the conversion and four minutes later landed a penalty goal to take Ireland to a 10-5 lead.

Penalty goals, one by McAlister after 21 minutes and to O'Gara after 30 minutes, advanced the score to 13-8.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw was penalised just before the break for not rolling away in the tackle and O'Gara landed the goal from 37 metres out.

The All Blacks started superbly in the second half when from a scrum McAlister popped the ball to Joe Rokocoko coming off the left wing.

He passed to Nonu, who fed Mauger and Muliaina was able to score. McAlister added the conversion.

Nine minutes into the half, the Irish made the most of some muddled All Blacks play in defence with O'Gara freeing the ball in front of the posts and popping a pass to left wing Trimble, who scored. O'Gara's conversion gave Ireland an eight-point cushion.

McAlister pulled back three points, 16 minutes into the half, with a penalty goal.

From the kick-off the first real All Blacks driving maul pushed Ireland back and when the ball was fed to the backs, flanker David Wallace was penalised for not rolling away in his tackle of Howlett and McAlister landed a 48-metre penalty.

Some powerful drives by the All Blacks fully tested the Irish defence and play carried towards the line, where a penalty provided McAlister with another three points for the All Blacks to finally reclaim the lead.

After play ranged back and forward with interceptions from both sides, it was lock Paul O'Connell's knock-on of a bouncing ball from an Irish chip ahead that provided Nonu with an opening, which he used to send replacement lock Flavell in for his try.

McAlister's conversion gave New Zealand an eight-point lead and the home team stormed back onto attack to finish the game camped on the Irish line.