Andy Farrell’s Irish rugby side looked to bury the disappointment of last year’s World Cup heartache by getting one back on the All Blacks.

But once again it was the men in black who spoiled the party, this time at the heart of Irish rugby in Dublin 23-13.

The All Blacks’ victory not only snapped Ireland’s 19-match unbeaten streak at home but saw Scott Robertson’s side move up to second in the World Rugby rankings, where they have the Springboks in their sights. Ireland’s 10-point defeat saw them drop to third.

Despite missing key men Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor, as well as losing Jordie Barrett to a yellow card on the stroke of half-time, Scott Robertson’s men scored 14 unanswered points to claw their way back into the contest and seal a hard-fought win.

Mercurial fly-half Damian McKenzie was at the heart of the win, banging over six penalties to leave Lansdowne Road with an 18-point bag. Just as importantly, he did plenty to change the perception that he’s merely a super-sub at the international level as he steered his side around with aplomb.

“I probably needed to, and tonight was a great night to try and do that,” the Chiefs playmaker said.

“Look, I was able to work off a great platform that our forwards set. It makes my job a whole lot easier. We’ve got some exciting backs who also make my job a whole lot easier, too.”

Damian McKenzie led the All Blacks to a fine win over Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Taylor’s replacement, Asafo Aumua, also stepped up to the plate in just his fourth start in the No.2 jersey as the next generation of the All Blacks continued their surge throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland by sealing their fifth straight win.

“I just want a special message to Asafo Aumua,” Robertson said post-match during an interview with Sky.

“That is the moment for him. Even that last try, under fatigue, on the money – they are the moments (that make you). I’m really pleased for him in this moment of his career.”

As well as Aumua, Wallace Sititi continued his extraordinary year with another fine performance while Ardie Savea took a step up after being outplayed by his younger back-rower across the year too. It was a tough evening, however, for Cortez Ratima, who was under consistent pressure around the ruck.

Former All Black turned pundit Jeff Wilson described the win as their “best performance of the year”.

In a Test where both sides managed just one try apiece, Ireland’s handling let them down on a greasy evening where territory and accuracy was everything.

In particular, Ireland’s inside backs turned over too much ball while the All Blacks managed to disrupt the home side’s lineout regularly too.

The Irish also shot themselves in the foot by giving away 12 penalties, with Australian referee Nic Berry taking a no-nonsense approach at the breakdown.

“It was intense out there,” Irish skipper Caelan Doris said.

“It felt like we were quite reactive throughout. Our discipline obviously wasn’t where it needed to be, but they’re a quality side and they put us under pressure right from the start and throughout [the match]. It felt like we got momentum back early on in the second half but they came back and put us under pressure again. They were quality and we weren’t good enough.

He added: “Discipline was a big part (behind our loss). It felt like we didn’t fire enough shots. Part of that was maybe our defence, letting them hold onto the ball and attack and we didn’t get as many turnovers as we’d have liked. I’m not sure what the answers are right now.”

After a rousing haka that was met by the Irish who walked up to their opponents, it was the home side that settled into the contest quickest.

Jack Crowley got Ireland on the scoreboard in the seventh minute, but the All Blacks quickly responded as McKenzie levelled the score two minutes later.

Ireland celebrate after Josh van der Flier scored early in the second half against the All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By Sam Barnes/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Both sides them had a long period of feeling each other out, but with conditions not conducive to expansive play neither side managed to make the most of opportunties.

Eventually it was the visitors who started to gain the ascendency as the penalty count built and McKenzie obliged by knocking over two penalties to hand the All Blacks a 9-3 lead in the 37th minute.

But a surging run from Bundee Aki in the shadows of half-time gave the home side some quick ball and the All Blacks infringed, with Jordie Barrett shown a yellow card for a high shot.

The infringement allowed the Irish to cut the deficit to 9-6 at half-time.

Some poor play after half-time allowed the Irish to camp themselves in New Zealand’s 22-metre zone and it didn’t take long for Josh van der Flier to score. Crawley’s conversion gave the home side a 13-9 lead.

It looked like Ireland would go further ahead when Will Jordan’s decision to play on quickly from a lineout backfired, but some desperate defence saw the All Blacks win a crucial penalty when still down to 14 men.

From that moment on the momentum turned and McKenzie stepped up, banging over two quick penalties to give the All Blacks a narrow lead. Another in the 64th minute extended their lead out to five after 64 minutes.

Jordan’s try in the 68th minute – the fullback’s 37th in just 39 Tests – gave the All Blacks a healthy buffer.

Needing to hit back quickly, Ireland were presented with a great opportunity soon after but an Ardie Savea breakdown penalty win in the 74th minute ended any real hope of making a late fist of it.

“I’m extremely proud of the effort tonight,” All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett said. “The boys showed a lot of courage and against the world number one at home, it’s a great occasion and the boys really fronted.

“I think when we hung onto the ball in their half we just built pressure. We got that try and we really muscled up in ‘D’ [defence]. The way the bench guys came on and showed plenty of heart on ‘D’.”