In Pics: New Zealand 27 Ireland 17 (1)

Pictured above: Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll tries to round Casey Laulala during the second test at Auckland’s Eden Park stadium on Saturday.

Reflecting on the 10-point defeat, the Leinster centre said: “I think this defeat is going to make us just a little bit hungrier. This team has really moved on in the last couple of years, we don’t accept mediocrity or close losses, that’s no good for us.

“In the past perhaps Irish teams might have been guilty of accepting close defeats as a reasonable result but that’s not the case with this team.”

Paul O’Connell claims a lineout ball with help from his Munster colleagues Denis Leamy and Donncha O’Callaghan.

O’Connell reckoned: “The game was there to be won. We went after it 95 percent, but I don’t think went after it 100 percent. We needed to make things happen as a forward unit. When you have guys like (Brian) O’Driscoll and (Gordon) D’Arcy in the team, you can take a ball off the top of the lineout and take a look up and see what happens.

“If we can recognise that as a team, I think these two weeks, while being a massive disappointment, can help us in our road to the World Cup.”

New Zealand skipper Richie McCaw takes the ball on at Eden Park. The 25-year-old could taste some action in next weekend’s Test match against Argentina in Buenos Aires.

The Crusaders flanker left for South America on Sunday with ten other team mates and the All Blacks coaching staff to join the other players already assembled there. Assistant coach Steve Hansen said: “Richie could be in the 22 for the Test against Argentina. His chances are 60-40 that he is likely to be staying in his tracksuit.”

Clarke Dermody is congratulated on scoring New Zealand’s second try despite the protestations of Brian O’Driscoll to referee Jonathan Kaplan. New Zealand lock Chris Jack was seen to knock the ball on in the lead-up to Dermody’s score but Kaplan decided otherwise.

O’Driscoll said: “I haven’t see the video replay but I did go to Jonathan afterwards. I felt that Chris Jack on his pick and drive got held up before the line and knocked the ball on and I questioned him (Kaplan) afterwards and he said that it had clearly gone back.

“My initial reaction was that it should have been a scrum five for us.”

Carl Hayman keeps possession for the All Blacks with a neat lay back. Afterwards Kiwi coach Graham Henry explained: “To beat a very good Irish side 2-0, I’m delighted with the guys and what they have done. I think now we appreciate they (Ireland) are a good side, maybe we hadn’t appreciated that before.

“They are a very good rugby side, they defend exceptionally well and have got some very talented players. So for this group of players to come through and win the series is great.”

As the rain showers continue in Auckland, Irish skipper Brian O’Driscoll takes on Richie McCaw.

Shane Horgan is caught in a double tackle by New Zealand centres Aaron Mauger and Casey Laulala. Horgan was at the centre of a row over match footage in the immediate aftermath of the second Test.

Horgan ended the game with cuts and bruising above his left eye and an Ireland team spokesman said “there were concerns over the actions of an unnamed New Zealand player.” However, match footage of the Horgan incident was not made readily available to the Irish team and match citing commissioner Peter Brown. Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan, who seemed set to make a complaint against the New Zealand player, said the footage situation was “very unacceptable.”

Ireland’s refusal to allow the host broadcaster Sky have access to its dressing room before the Test match is thought to have been the reason why the additional footage was not forthcoming. The release of extra footage of match incidents is not obligatory under Test match regulations.

**All photos by Billy Stickland of Inpho Photography**

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