Kidney keen for Ireland to fire from the off

DECLAN KIDNEY’S bid to end Ireland’s 31 years of southern discomfort has rolled on to Brisbane.

After coming up short twice across the Tasman in the wet and cold surrounds of regional New Zealand, the balmy climate of a Queensland winter has helped to keep the mood fresh and focussed.

Ireland’s coach is by no means weighed down under the disappointment of four straight defeats. All week he has cut a typically positive, upbeat figure. His impromptu decision to hold yesterday’s press call with the Irish media on exercise bikes summed up his jovial mood. Yet it doesn’t mask his sheer desperation to win.