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.”

Read is guaranteed to start Saturday’s test in Eden Park alongside his Canterbury teammate and captain Richie McCaw with the blindside spot up for grabs after Jerome Kaino’s injury-enforced absence.

Highlanders skipper Adam Thomson and Hurricanes number eight Victor Vito are set to fight it out for the number six shirt and Read admits that whoever gets the nod will have big shoes to fill.

“He’s (Kaino) a huge loss for us. Jerome was our best player in the All Blacks squad last year, so the guy coming in has to step up to fill his boots.”

Ireland are also without their backrow hitman Stephen Ferris, who has been plagued by knee injuries over the last 18 months. Although Read still sees plenty of quality remaining in that area for Ireland.

“I think that backrow really compliments each other well. Jamie Heaslip’s been around for a while, and their two flank forwards were really impressive at the World Cup last year,” he said.

All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg is expecting a strong aerial challenge from the Irish team over the next three weekends.

Dagg, who made his debut for New Zealand in the 66-28 win in New Plymouth in 2010, was one of the stars of last year’s World Cup with his elusive broken field running play, and the Hawke’s Bay flyer is anticipating plenty of Garryowen’s coming his way in the series.

“I think they’ll put up a few high balls,” said Dagg. “They’ve got some quality kickers there as well. We’ll plan this week and try to nullify that, and turn it into a strength. If they kick it deep, then we’ll look to run it back.”

Brian O’Driscoll and his teammates will be returning to the scene of their historic win over Australia in last year’s World Cup.

Eden Park, which has long served as a fortress for the All Blacks, was transformed into a sea of green when Ireland upset the Wallabies 15-6 and Dagg is expecting plenty of Irish supporters to turn up in Auckland again on Saturday night.

“When they beat Australia at Eden Park, that was awesome,” he said. “Even I was cheering for them.

“They’re going to have a lot of support for the tour. There seems to be a lot of Irish over here.

“It’s going to be good, but I think most of the Kiwis are going to be on our side this time.”