Donal Lenihan: New Zealand really don't take losing very well

In some ways it made the Irish victory all the sweeter even if we know there’s going to be a serious reaction from within the All Blacks camp

ON FORM: Jordan Larmour did his chances of featuring against New Zealand on Saturday no harm with two tries against the Maori All Blacks. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

They really don’t like losing down here. They tend not to take it very well, always looking for someone or something to blame. Perhaps that’s what happens when you’re used to getting your own way on the pitch for so long.

New Zealand’s success ratio in the professional game is unrivalled. While All Black coach Ian Foster has been the main focus of the country’s ire, a small cohort even took last Saturday’s defeat out on some of the travelling Irish supporters, giving them the finger as they left the Forsyth Barr Stadium, promising revenge in Wellington next Saturday.