Photos: All Blacks training sessionKEY POINTS:
Forwards Jerome Kaino and Neemia Tialata have conducted some brutal self-analysis as they set out to justify their All Blacks rugby selection against Ireland this weekend.
Recalled Blues No 8 Kaino and Hurricanes prop Tialata were more than willing to criticise some of their own previous performances ahead of what shapes as a stern forward test from the tourists at Westpac Stadium.
Kaino's two previous tests were in the narrow home wins over Ireland two years ago but he was dropped immediately by coach Graham Henry and hasn't been sighted at international level until this week.
The 25-year-old admits his axing was justified, starting with a failure to impose himself on debut in 35 minutes off the bench at Hamilton.
"All I remember is just trying to clear my rucks and trying to do everything right," he said.
"The test that I started in Auckland, it was the same, I didn't really feature much in the game or get my hands on the ball.
"It wasn't really good enough at test level so I'm looking to apply myself a lot more this week."
Kaino was surprised to win selection for the 2006 tests, having played just four games after spending six months recovering from shoulder reconstruction.
The pace of test rugby caught him unaware.
"Also there was a little bit of belief that I wasn't really good enough," he said.
"This time round I feel like I've been waiting for two years to have another crack. I'm ready now and hopefully I'll prove myself as a test player this weekend.
"The last couple of seasons I've had, I thought I've played quite well so I'll just try and run with it."
Tialata has proven himself as being of test standard, having racked up 21 tests, but he accepted his form had been sub-par and expressed enormous relief to have won squad selection let alone be starting on Saturday, helped by an injury to Tony Woodcock.
"I was nervous about selection. I didn't have the best year, I even struggled at times to make the starting 15 for the Hurricanes," he said.
"Getting the nod to start for this test is a blessing. I'll have to repay that by putting out a solid performance."
Forwards coach Steve Hansen turned the heat up on the 25-year-old, who will pack down against 84-test veteran John Hayes.
"He's still probably not where we'd like him to be from a fitness point of view but he's making good progress but he's worked really hard, he's done a lot of extras," Hansen said.
"He is a good international scrummager at loosehead, we know that, and hence why we've picked him, to do that job."
Tialata agreed he had given everything since the All Blacks gathered, trying to put behind him a forgettable Super 14 season in which he never felt in peak condition.
"Not only that, there were a few off-field issues that I had to address," he said.
"I got that sorted and hopefully I'm on the up now. I've left that behind me, I'm in here now.
"If you're around quality players and coaches as well, to get that help makes a difference."
- NZPA
