Ireland out to prove All-Blacks victory wasn't a one-off

This is the one game I wont miss this weekend. Ireland will again target the lineout. ABs know it , but can they stop it. Also the Aussie ,French match up is going to be really interesting. I have said it before but the Wallabies seem to be evolving into a really good side , hope I'm right . I will pass on the SA Italy game though. The Boks are going to have to get me back watching them and judging by last weeks performance against England its not going to be anytime soon.

Yes Taylorman, as much as I preferred tha ABs to increase their winning streak from 18, the loss has come at a good time for Hansen and his men. Perhaps, not for this tour but for the Lions tour of NZ next year. Hansen knows what to expect when the ABs are off their game - mentally and physically - and playing guys out of position. Not taking anything from Schmidt and Ireland. They played an outstanding game plan and the Irish totally outplayed the All Blacks. They deserved the historic win. But the loss serves the ABs when they take on the might of Britain and Ireland. As for this weekend's match, I totally expect the ABs to be more mentally prepared and will be focussed and wanting blood. ABs by 20.

If you put it that way Richard: this season - Hansen 9, The Rest 1

Yes Taylorman, as much as I preferred the ABs to increase their winning run from 18, the loss came at a good time. Perhaps not for this current tour but for the Lions next year. The ABs, coaches and selectors NOW are fully aware of what to expect. Dear I say it, because of the Chicago loss, its going to be 3-0 to the ABs against the might of Britain and Ireland. As for this weekend's match, I expect a truly focussed ABs team with the mental preparation and edge required. Blacklash!

I see Hansens cheekily claiming underdog status for this one. At is simplest level I suppose hes correct...they won easily, last match, recently. On those merits that would suggest favouritism in just about every case. No one will be buying it though. Kearney reminds of a similar backlash in 2012 when Ireland should have won the second test (Carter dropped the goal for the win). Third test...backlash...60 nil. Kearney admits to wishing he could stay off the field for his yellow till the end of the match! Dont know that its wise in admitting to that in this modern, team game. O'Driscolls also waring of poking the bear so to speak so the backlash is very real, and supports the 'losses are necessary to win' thinking. Before Chicago most Irish fans were backing the second match as the better chance of winning. I think Chicago just ended that thinking. History suggests a big win to the AB's. But will that be the case if just about everyone knows and expects that?

Sure,but I am referring to this current series.

Actually it's 1-1 if you're talking Schmidt v Hansen.

All Blacks for test v Ireland 1. Joe Moody (22) 2. Dane Coles (47) 3. Owen Franks (88) 4. Brodie Retallick (58) 5. Samuel Whitelock (82) 6. Liam Squire (7) 7. Sam Cane (39) 8. Kieran Read - captain (95) 9. Aaron Smith (56) 10. Beauden Barrett (47) 11. Julian Savea (50) 12. Anton Lienert-Brown (6) 13. Malakai Fekitoa (22) 14. Israel Dagg (59) 15. Ben Smith (59) 16. Codie Taylor (13) 17. Wyatt Crockett (56) 18. Charlie Faumuina (44) 19. Scott Barrett (2) 20. Ardie Savea (10) 21. TJ Perenara (27) 22. Aaron Cruden (45) 23. Waisake Naholo (10)

Whereas I think it is all about mentality. ABs are spitting tacks over Chicago, so they should be. For me it's another ample of one teams ability to get up on the day, only to find the reality of what winning really means to the ABs. The pace particularly will be hectic, ABs will want to secure the win as early as possible then push it home right through to 80.

i dont know the actual dimensions. however what i noticed was that the edge of touch line and goal area was very close to the stands and the barriers. that does have an effect IMO. long time ago in cricket, especially in Australia, the boundary used to be very close to the spectator-stands or basically the barrier. then it was changed by ICC , beccoz many thought it is dangeros. since the time boundaries have been brought in ( i think by 3m) there is a lot of sliding and diving :D

Actually , that extra 2 metres is enough to drive a car through, so if you use the space well, that creates opportunities for both teams...width does matter.

Soldier Field is 95m x 66m Lansdowne Road is 100 x 68m. 1 metre either side won't make much difference. But every little bit helps. For both teams.

this will be a differnt affair , not becoz of mentality but becoz of the playing conditions. the ground in USA was narrow , as i suspected while watching and then confirmed by Carlos the Argie. that allowed the Irish defence to control the new zealand wide-runners. on a more conventional rugger ground, unless they cut down the ball going wide, irish will struggle to contain as they did in USA. but it wont be a cake walk ; more of an arm-wrestle with a margin of a try, to NZ.

I wish I shared your optimism,but Schmidt is a canny bugger.This game is too hard to call for me.

agree totally much on the line for both teams here i admire and respect the all blacks but would dearly love to see the paddies get up again but sadly you know how the big black bear reacts after being poked with a stick expect the blacks to be sublime this weekend

Ireland has nothing to prove. The Irish has done it and nobody else has, and that should no be taken away from them. The ABs have to step up and win well, no excuses. This will be the test of the season.

The motivation thing is irrelevant.You get all this bulldust in the lead up to most tests.No,this test is a battle of the coaches and atm it's 1 nil to Schmidt.

The All Blacks, Toner said, have lost their mental edge against the Irish. Now they know they can lose. “That doubt and that seed is sown now. They know we’re a good team and we can get in their face.” Devon Toner may well have just given the ABs a bucket load of motivation with those sorts of statements. Not that they would have needed any. Really looking forward to this match.

Good luck, but I think its a once off lapse and selection mistake. Perenara will start, Retallick will start, and Whitelock may start. Just those 3 will make a noticeable difference. I would prefer Cruden to start, with Barret of the bench, as Cruden is still world class, and his place kicking is good.