Wallace relishing Kiwi challenge

AS one of the surviving Lions contingent in the Ireland squad that arrived here in Auckland yesterday, David Wallace should be on his last legs.

Since pre-season training prior to the start of the 2008/09 campaign, he has had precious little in terms of extended breaks from the game.

But looking surprisingly fresh for a man just off a 29-hours flight, the Munster flanker yesterday said he’s perfectly primed for a tilt at the All Blacks in New Plymouth on Saturday.

“Actually funnily enough, the body is probably better now than it was at the start of the season,” said Wallace.

“The last few weeks of the season I had a bit of a break in terms of playing games and so I was able to step it up a bit on the fitness side. I’m feeling very confident in how I am physically.”

Wallace is one of the few senior forwards left after an injury epidemic tore through the Ireland camp leaving the likes of Paul O’Connell, Rory Best, Jerry Flannery, Denis Leamy and Stephen Ferris back home in the sick bay.

But echoing the words of assistant coach Alan Gaffney, Wallace was adamant Ireland have the depth to deal with the dilemma, pointing to his provincial vice captain as the perfect example.

“I’m not concerned. We’ve got guys like Mick O’Driscoll who’ll be filling in for Paulie,” insisted Wallace. “He does it for Munster and he’s a fantastic player with a lot of experience. Losing a player of Paul’s calibre is a detriment to any team but the only thing that matters is who’s coming in and we’ve got Micko and he’s very strong.”

History will hang heavy in the New Plymouth air this weekend when the All Blacks bid to make it 23 not out against Ireland.

“That’s not really in the forefront of our minds,” added Wallace. “Every time you play the All Blacks it’s a huge challenge in itself. We just have to focus on what we can do and fulfil all those things that we say we’re going to do.”