KEY POINTS:
Since the first meeting in Dublin one hundred and three years ago, we have fronted up to the All Blacks some 20 times with an honourable draw in '73. It is as close as we have come on the scoreboard although six years back in Dunedin in '02 Brian O'Driscoll's then much underrated side came within a Geordan Murphy finger tip of taking rugby's biggest scalp for the first time.
Add to that a bad day at the office by way of the boot for Ronan O'Gara and arguably the best opportunity yet was blown. Eight of the Ireland squad that evening in Carisbrook are still on board now with just two Kiwis - Richie McCaw and Leon MacDonald still involved in the match day 22. Much water has passed under the bridge since, but in terms of experience and (on the back of recent Magners League and Heineken Cup success) confidence, this Irish group is in pretty good nick ahead of today's clash at Wellington.
With history and tradition allied to home advantage, McCaw and company will run on as favourites - would we expect it any other way? The All Black starting XV includes just six who figured in the hugely disappointing World Cup defeat to France at the Millennium Stadium back in October. While some of the changes are due to injury, retirement or loss of form, the majority have been lured by the euro to Northern pastures. It is a New Zealand side in transition, so however much Graham Henry or the media talk it up, the reality is of an initial journey into the unknown.
They could well hit the Wellington ground running and rip Ireland apart but given the restored confidence allied to massive experience in the touring lineup, there is every reason to believe a question mark at least over the outcome. Crucially the two key figures - Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell - are reinvigorated following an injury hit season. For self evident reasons the role of each will be central.
With some 14 players in all gone from his World Cup squad it was thought Henry would experiment - particularly with the two test series against the English next up - but these are trying times even for the talent-laden Kiwis. He has gone where possible with combinations giving one new cap to Auckland wing Anthony Tuitavake.
There is too the rather relevant matter of World Cup rankings making previously "nothing" end-of-season internationals now something tangible and worth winning. To that add the role of the coaches and the Irish two in particular. Henry may be under the microscope but for Michael Bradley and Niall O'Donovan their very professional futures are on the line. I suspect a successful fortnight - embracing one if not two wins - and the Munster management issue could well be revisited.
I find it truly astonishing that the IRFU deems it necessary to issue an official press release informing all that the incoming national coach (Declan Kidney) and manager (Paul McNaughton) will be attending the tests in Wellington and Melbourne over the next eight days. Wowee! Imagine that! The new management will be going along in the flesh to watch their new charges play. They should already be in situ. Forgive the cynicism but it smacks of old-school politicking still mischievously at work in the background. On a personal level I hope Bradley and O'Donovan hit the jackpot at the Cake Tin today and again at the Telstra Dome but quite why it is not Kidney, McNaughton and the new management (including the soon to arrive Gert Smal) already at the helm is beyond me and I suspect beyond the equally bemused Kidney too.
Disappointingly for the second week running, Bradley is denied the opportunity to launch O'Driscoll and Luke Fitzgerald as an attacking combination on the international stage. It is a massive blow and little point pretending otherwise. I hope I am wrong but I suspect Fitzgerald's defection could now make the difference. Given the circumstances it is a difficult one to call but the smart money's on the All Blacks.
* Tony Ward played 19 tests for Ireland from 1978 until 1987 and is a columnist for the Irish Independent.
