But the first period of this first Irish autumn test match was closed, with a lot of waste, and hand faults on both sides preventing any continuity of play. The New Zealanders sought to advance, but were slowed down in the rucks and Cortez Ratima put under pressure by Jamison Gibson-Park. Dominated and forced to play in their camp, the Irish, who had opened the scoring with the foot of Jack Crowley (8th), made a mistake (7 in the first period) and Damian McKenzie took the opportunity to score three penalties ( 10th, 29th, 38th). Just before the break, Jordie Barrett received a yellow card for a shoulder in the jaw of Gary Ringrose, and Crowley reduced the gap (40th, 6-9 at half-time).