I agree

[AuckMel]

But I reckon their best chance of beating the AB's may have passed them by.

"O'Driscoll: We need full 80 minutes"

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488120/747052

Captain Brian O'Driscoll said Ireland would need to produce a full 80-minute effort to beat New Zealand next week in Auckland after suffering defeat late on against the All Blacks on Saturday.

O'Driscoll's side held a 23-15 lead with 25 minutes remaining. A rusty All Blacks side had dominated territory and possession before three Luke McAlister penalties and a Troy Flavell try sealed the home side a 34-23 victory.

"We put together a good 62-minute performance but against the All Blacks that's not good enough," said O'Driscoll. "We were made to pay because they will take their half chance and punish you."

"They showed their class when it was put to them but at the same time we kind of stopped playing rugby."

He said Saturday's performance, in which he scored an early try, had proved Ireland were capable of beating any side.

"We feel as though when we play well we will cause any team in the world some difficulties and can beat any team in the world, including the All Blacks," O'Driscoll said.

"But you can't let up for the full 80 minutes. You could have a 30-point lead with 15 minutes to go against the All Blacks, but if you let up they will score 35 points.

"It's just about putting the whole package together."
O'Driscoll missed last November's 43-7 mauling by the All Blacks in Dublin because he was recovering from the dislocated shoulder he suffered on the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry said he had been concerned when his side slipped behind against what he called arguably the best side in Europe.
"I'm always worried," Henry said of how he felt with 20 minutes remaining. "There were two great sides out there and it could have gone either way.
"I think we deserved to win the game we played a lot more and used a lot more ball.

"In the finish we haven't played together in seven months and the guys showed a lot of composure and came through in the end.
"We were just fortunate to come through and win it."

 

[aussies1st]

The ABs didn't have Carter so definitely Ireland have missed the boat here. Next week it should be the crushing victory.

 

[kia ora storm]

McCallister is a weak point in the backline and I felt that we also struggled with Holahnot gelling with McCaw or Sooialo.

 

[ozbash]

way too many new combos.

the irish were very unlucky and henry can breath a sigh of relief, he got away with it.

rawlinson should go back to the veldt :roll:

 

[aussies1st]

ABs were lacking the Collins factor when Nonu went quiet. I didn't even notice Holah on the field.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Rusty, but good to see we can still beat quality sides with second string combinations. Keen to see how we go next week when we rool out the heavy artillery.

 

[shiznit]

the big guns wont be playing together untill week 1 of the tri-nations.
the only changes you will see this week will probably be Laulala in for Nonu as Ma'a has pulled up with a hamstring injury today at training. and probably Flav. will move to blindside in place of Holah.

the likes of Carter, Weepu, Collins & Gear wont be playing untill the test in against Argentina in Bunes Aires.

McCalister went alright in my opinion. you cant expect him to be like carter. theres no one on this planet like DC. Luke dug himself into a hole in the 1sy half. he got us out of it though. with his kicking and his covering defence. the scrum was pretty awesome, just consider that it was only half our forward pack really. wait untill they all get back.