Mood in Irish camp far from All Black

IRELAND’S rugby players have the confidence and composure to take on the all-conquering All Blacks this weekend, despite the negativity swirling around them, says Stephen Ferris and forwards coach Gert Smal.

The reviews have been less than complimentary from Ireland’s first two games of this Guinness Series of Autumn Internationals, which have produced a miserable 23-21 defeat to South Africa and a laboured 20-10 victory over Samoa. That win ended a four-Test losing streak but with New Zealand heading to the Aviva Stadium following wins over England and Scotland in successive weeks, the consensus view among rugby’s punditry is that Ireland are set to return to losing ways this weekend.

The feeling is also that confidence within the camp is low, while the bookies feel the same way with Boylesports offering New Zealand at 1/16 favourites and Ireland at 8/1 longshots.