No halting new New Zealand

First the good news. New Zealand are in disarray or at least they should be.

While Ireland bemoan the loss of key individuals in Paul O’Connell, Stephen Ferris, Tommy Bowe and Mike Ross, their hosts are in the midst of what for any other country would amount to a mini crisis.

A raft of their World Cup-winning panel including Brad Thorn, John Afoa, Mils Muliaina, Stephen Donald, Cory Jane, Isaia Toeava, Jerome Kaino, Anthony Boric and Colin Slade are either injured or retired. In addition Ma’a Nonu, Ali Williams, Piri Weepu and Jimmy Cowan are playing like drains while the key Crusaders trio of Richie McCaw, Kieran Reid and Dan Carter have had precious little game time of late due to injury. Getting your hopes up for a first Irish win over the New Zealand after 24 failed attempts over 107 years?