Read says Ireland won’t be pushover for Blacks

All Black number eight Kieran Read has dismissed the notion Ireland will be easy pickings for New Zealand in this month’s three-test series.

Declan Kidney’s side endured a frustrating Six Nations campaign culminating in a humiliating 30-9 drubbing by England in Twickenham, but Read is not reading too much into Ireland’s recent displays.

“I expect a massive challenge, I always expect it from Ireland,” said Read. “I think they’ll be full of confidence after the way their clubs performed this season in the Heineken Cup.”