Nations Championship: New Zealand 40-21 Ireland – Eden Park defeat leaves Ireland with familiar sinking feeling

It was always going to be a long season for Farrell’s prolific squad, after Ireland were a prolific supplier for the British and Irish Lions’ victorious effort in Australia last summer.

Both in Oakland and throughout the year, the head coach can dictate the degree of mitigation.

On the eve of the bye, Ireland traveled to the southern hemisphere without their captain Kellan Dorries due to an injury sustained in Leinster’s United Rugby Championship final win over the Bulls.

The controversial departure of wing James Lowe from the province denied Farrell another long-serving stalwart, while an injury to Jack Crowley continued the sense of instability in the key fly-half position.

Andrew Porter, the team’s vital loose-head prop, has not played Test rugby since November, nor have his primary pupils Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle.

In a year plagued by injuries, Ireland still won the Triple Crown, were moments away from the Six Nations title and won a pair of Tests in the southern hemisphere.

Farrell has also handed eight players their international debuts this season, including four against Japan this month, as he builds towards next year’s World Cup.

Australia’s tournament was quickly brought up by stand-in captain Dan Sheehan in his post-match interview with the result again showing that Ireland must improve if they are to make their mark on the global showpiece in 15 months’ time.

“I’m proud of the guys, I’m proud of the season we had,” Hooker said

“We really targeted this game, but we’ll learn the lessons and we’ll go into next season firing. We know where we are now and we know what we have to work on. It’s going to be a big year before the World Cup.

“We’ve got to get on the field next year and we’ve got to be better.”