Fighting talk, but Irish look deflated

Blindside flanker Jerome Kaino has worked hard on his fitness since a shoulder reconstruction. Sandra Mu / Getty Images

The Irish want to be more buoyant but their demeanour this week has not matched the optimism they brought at the start of their tour.

Coach Eddie O'Sullivan and skipper Brian O'Driscoll speak about escaping the 101-year burden of defeat against the All Blacks but without the venom of the vocal lead-in to Hamilton.

"We want to make history and separate ourselves from the teams that have gone before," O'Driscoll said.

The maestro centre recalled Ireland's tour four years ago where they blew some chances and succumbed only 15-6 in the opening test before being clattered 40-8 at Eden Park.

"We let ourselves down in that second test and I would like to think we have something left in reserve after a good show at Hamilton," he added.

As statements of intent, O'Driscoll's words were notable but there was a wanness about their delivery, almost a resignation that the past would meet the present on Saturday at Eden Park.

Maybe there were other things on his mind, like the standoff between the team and the travelling Irish media.

O'Sullivan was wary of the improvement left in the All Blacks.

"The worry is they can play the game any way they want.

"If we play to our potential we can give anybody a rattle - the All Blacks included," O'Sullivan suggested.

His words, too, sounded hopeful compared to the assured tones of last week.

Ireland know the All Black pack will come at them on Saturday, that they have tinkered with their loose forward and lineout combinations and have the scrummaging power to do some damage.

The All Blacks' coaching staff trained two sides yesterday and will repeat the exercise today with the squad for Eden Park and the other, which leaves for Argentina tonight.

It was taxing, said Graham Henry, but the correct by-product of their decision to broaden the player base in the All Blacks.

New lock for Eden Park Troy Flavell bypassed some of the training because of a wrist problem. Five-eighths Luke McAlister also rested a groin injury which flared up after some intensive kicking practice. Neither player was reported to be in doubt for the test.

Jerome Kaino made his test debut from the bench last week but has been promoted to blindside flanker on his home ground on Saturday.

The 23-year-old had worked especially hard on his fitness since a shoulder reconstruction late last year.

"I'm more explosive. From tackles I'm able to get off the ground better," he said.

"I'm not as strong as usual but in my position you have to be explosive rather than strong and bulky."