All Blacks avenge Ireland defeat with 21-9 Dublin win

Ireland v New Zealand at the Aviva, Saturday November 19 – kick-off 5.15pm. When on song, O’Brien is amongst the game’s best breakdown exponents and he will have to dominate this facet of play to give the men from the Emerald Isle a chance of securing another triumph against the All Blacks.

Thanks to Emily’s mam Amy for sending this our way.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, who despite the bookies dictating otherwise claimed his side were the underdogs going into the game after losing for the first time in 29 Test meetings stretching over 111 years to the Irish in Chicago, said he was looking to the Kiwis’ characteristic of resilience to see them bounce back.

“We’ve got huge respect for them, how could you not have for a team that’s won the last two World Cups”. Referee Peyper immediately awarded the try, much to Ireland’s fury.

“I think we turned up with the right attitude for a start”, said Hansen when quizzed on the differences between Chicago and Dublin.

Ireland went in 14-6 down at half-time but they soon got a rocket up them from Joe Schmidt and Andy Farrell.

The newly crowned World Rugby Player of the Year cruised through a gaping hole in the Irish defence to breeze over the line, but Sexton chased the lost cause and appeared to have gotten his arm beneath the ball as Barrett attempted to ground it.

“When things don’t go your way, which happens during the game, you gotta just get tighter in that circle and probably take a bigger look in everyone’s eyes and know that everyone is there on the same page and we all want the same thing”.

The forward also admitted New Zealand’s discipline is an area they still need to improve upon.

Ireland will be hoping that history can repeat itself when they face New Zealand for the second time this autumn.

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

The tackles from New Zealand were flying in from all directions, but a lot of them aimed at the upper chest, the “hits” so beloved of the modern game.

“I don’t think so”.

The performance drew admirative tweets from such diverse characters as author JK Rowling and United States vice-president Joe Biden as defeat stopped the All Blacks’ world record Test run of 18 successive wins in its tracks.

“I think Steve Hansen’s just being modest”. “While there was obvious disappointment at the loss in Chicago, disappointment doesn’t win test matches”.

Irish coach Joe Schmidt said he feared Stander, Henshaw, and Sexton all might be unavailable against the Wallabies. O’Brien started in the 52-21 victory over Canada last weekend, with Leinster flanker Murphy now out for at least six months with a knee injury sustained against New Zealand.

“They’ll be full of confidence and committed to delivering on their home patch”, Hansen said.

“Look, it’s not for me to say”, replied Schmidt.