Ireland can inflict more pain on All Blacks says Fitzgerald

But can they do it again on home soil?

“We’re frustrated and annoyed”, said Ireland captain Best.

“It wasn’t always pretty and they have a lot to learn but give the players and experience we lost with over 800 caps they’re going pretty well so far”.

The Irish – also coached by a Kiwi in Joe Schmidt – ended a 111-year wait after 28 previous attempts with a superb 40-29 victory over the All Blacks in the unlikely environs of Chicago, Illinois, a fortnight ago.

Ireland have made just one change from their starting Chicago team. Devin Toner and friends may find themselves more concerned with securing their own ball rather than attacking the New Zealand throw.

“There’s a couple of good things that Ian Foster worked on in the week with the backs”.

Hansen has been able to recall experienced locks Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock, who should prove a more competitive unit both in the lineout and the scrum than the duo of Jerome Kaino and Patrick Tuipulotu, who started in Chicago.

Otherwise, the All Blacks are at full strength, with Beauden Barrett at flyhalf in his first game since being named world player of the year.

“One needs to feel that we have a chance on important calls like that”.

Despite the surprise victory two weeks ago, Ireland were highly critical of their defensive effort on United States soil, conceding four tries and nearly falling victim to an All Blacks comeback.

Sam Cane was lucky to avoid any punishment when he caught Henshaw in the head with his shoulder, the centre taken off on a stretcher and replaced by Garry Ringrose.

Wing Simon Zebo also shrugged off New Zealand installing themselves as underdogs, insisting they still arrive in Dublin as the world’s best Test team. “He’s focused on how we stop these tries and we looked back on Chicago and we were fairly hard on the defensive elements in our performance”.

Jared Payne: Could have done better to stop Beauden Barrett’s try. He was exceptional in the flawless Rugby Championship triumph, but he was replaced in the closing stages a fortnight ago by Aaron Cruden. In the brief periods in Chicago where the momentum was firmly with New Zealand, they narrowed the gap to within 4 points. Great fly-halves such as Carter and Jonny Wilkinson as well as opposite man Jonny Sexton don’t have that pace, and can rely on their expert timing to unlock the defence.

“Did we play the smartest rugby?”

Ireland assistant coach Greg Feek knows exactly what Hansen is referring o as he wore the All Blacks jersey 10 times as a prop and was part of the 1999 World Cup squad that lost sensationally to France in the World Cup semi-final.

“I think Steve Hansen’s just being modest”, said Zebo.

While Hansen was short with his answers to questions about his team’s discipline in the win in Dublin, he did offer praise to Ireland at the post-match press conference.

“They are the number one team in the world for a reason”. “While there was obvious disappointment at the loss in Chicago, disappointment doesn’t win test matches”.

Smarting after their sub-par showing two weeks ago, the All Blacks roared out of the blocks early, controlling the opening phases and pushing their noses in front.