Ireland performance 'uncharacteristic' - Farrell
· Yahoo Sports
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell believes his side are "certainly closer" to the All Blacks than they showed during their 40-21 loss in the Nations Championship on Saturday.
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The 19-point reverse in Eden Park was Ireland's heaviest among four consecutive losses to the All Blacks with the visitors hampered by a series of errors in the first half.
The Ireland head coach acknowledged that New Zealand won "pretty comfortably" on the day but added his side must now use the loss as a lesson and build towards the World Cup in Australia next year.
"We're full of pride because of the fight, but we're disappointed with how it unfolded in the accuracy of a few parts of our game," said Farrell after the final game of his side's 2025-26 campaign.
"I think the two sides are certainly closer than that, but I suppose the only thing that matters is how both teams keep on improving over the next 15 months.
"If you look back on it, [it was mistakes from] some of our best ballplayers. That's why I say uncharacteristic really, because it's something you don't see on a daily basis or on a weekend either.
"That's what big matches do to you and that's a lesson that's got to be learned, that's for sure."
Farrell was pleased by the resilience shown by his side to outscore the All Blacks in the second half after finding themselves 28-7 down at half-time.
He added: "These lads have not got it in them to give it up after a poor enough start, especially when things are not going our way.
"The flow of our game is not flowing for many different reasons, whether that be penalties conceded or uncharacteristic poor passing, whether it be [passes] into touch or intercept passing or whatever.
"So, the flow of our game never really got going, but how we stuck at it and kept on fighting is there for everyone."