Joe Schmidt needs fresh code to crack wounded New Zealand

Ireland go once more unto the breach against New Zealand in Dublin this evening, armed with the confidence of having at last beaten the world champions but under no illusions about the challenge of beating them twice in a row.

Two weeks on from the heroics of Soldier Field, Joe Schmidt’s team are in a position to savour but also fear. Belief among the Irish players they possess the skills, heart, mental strength and gameplan to beat the best team in the world has been transformed into fact by their extraordinary performance in Chicago.

Yet the words “backlash” and “revenge” have been to the fore during the 14 days since the Irish defied 111 years of failure against the All Blacks and ran in five tries for an historic 40-29 victory and Rory Best and his players know it is going to take a performance even more special than that if they are to become the first side since South Africa in 2009 to record back-to-back wins against the Kiwis.