Quinlan backs an upset for the Underdogs
Ireland have naturally assumed the role of underdogs for Saturday’s Test against New Zealand, but that doesn’t meann they think they can’t win!
Ireland have never beeten the All-Blacks in their previous 20 encounters with their best peformance a 10-10 draw at Landsdowne in Jauary 1973
Alan Quinlan says:
‘The mentality has certainly changed in Irish rugby,’ he said. ‘A few years ago we didn’t believe we could win these games.
‘It’s always a hard game and the All Blacks will always be favourites when they play Ireland, but we play every game to win and Saturday will be no different.
‘You need a lot of luck when you play New Zealand, especially away from home. We’ll need a lot of things to go our way.
‘There’s confidence and a belief within the Irish players in the last number of years that if we play to our potential we certainly have a good chance.’
Ireland had two chances to beat the All Blacks two years ago, in the first test they led 16-8 at half time, were ahead going into the last quarter before Luke McAlister kicked a penalty and Troy Flavell scored a try to give New Zealand a 34-24 victory. A week later New Zealand had to score a try in the 70th minute to get a 27-17 win.
Quinlan was not involved, but he said:
‘The core group of players have experienced those two Test matches in 2006. We did a lot of things right in both those games but came up short in both of them.
‘We’ve probably learned that to get one over on the All Blacks we have to put in a massive, massive performance and get a lot of stuff right.’
‘New Zealand have great strength and depth and I think the guys who will come in are probably going to be just as good and probably hungrier as well.
‘I don’t think it’s going to be any less intimidating,’