Craig Casey of Ireland shows his disappointment after the defeat to New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago, USA. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
All rather flat, really; the second visit for these teams to Chicago never reaching the heights of nine years ago in what was a thoroughly scrappy encounter from which the All Blacks merely picked off their weary-looking opponents.
That the clash remained in the balance until the hour mark was more of a reflection on two teams not functioning at the level they ought to, with one just having that greater ability to finish the last 20 minutes with some accuracy.