O’Driscoll wants prideback in jersey

Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll has promised a more passionate and aggressive performance from his team this weekend.

Despite an enterprising opening 20 minutes in Auckland, Ireland were surprisingly sluggish thereafter with their defence and kick-chase game lacking real intensity. Save one big hit by Rory Best on Julian Savea, the Irish line speed was passive for the most part which allowed a stellar New Zealand back line to strut their stuff on the Eden Park turf.

There was little of the suffocating press defence that has characterised the Les Kiss era nor the infamous choke-tackle technique employed by the Irish pack to such devastating effect at last year’s World Cup.