Quinlan hope for Irish pride

Alan Quinlan hopes Ireland will show some pride against New Zealand following disappointing performances in the World Cup and RBS 6 Nations.

Loose forward Quinlan and back Luke Fitzgerald both have injuries as they prepare for the opening Test against the Kiwis.

Fitzgerald sat out Ireland’s first full training session since they arrived in New Zealand because of a stiff ankle.

The 20-year-old Leinster back was the only member of the squad – missing latecomers Brian O’Driscoll, Eion Reddan and Geordan Murphy – not to train, although Quinlan, who is suffering from a dead leg, worked out separately from the rest of the group.

Neither Quinlan nor Fitzgerald are in doubt for Saturday’s first Test against New Zealand with Quinlan insisting the Irish players are determined to “do the jersey proud” as they look to end their season on a high against New Zealand and Australia.

After a poor World Cup performance which saw them fail to get beyond the group stages for only the second time in the tournament’s history, and a lacklustre showing in this year’s Six Nations, the squad are hoping that recent successes at provincial level can provide the springboard to a first win against the All Blacks.

“The World Cup was disappointing but everyone has drawn a line under that and the Six Nations as well,” said Quinlan, who was the man of the match in Munster’s Heineken Cup final win against Toulouse.

“For the players (it was important) to get back to our clubs and have a good season with Munster and Leinster (who won the Celtic League). It gives us a bit of confidence, a bit of belief that rugby isn’t all that bad and you have to put up with good times and the bad times.

“It was certainly a difficult year being involved in Ireland but it was nice to do well with our clubs and it gives us a spring in our step after a long hard season.”

Success at provincial level has not always ben transferred to the international stage and despite the obvious confidence the Munster and Leinster players have brought to the squad, the 33-year-old loose forward knows the Irish have a huge challenge ahead of them at Westpac Stadium on Saturday against a relatively new-look New Zealand side.

He said: “It’s going to be a difficult game, it always is. Whenever you play the All Blacks, home or away, it’s always a massive challenge for any team.

“There’s pressure on us to perform in what’s been a difficult season internationally, but there’s a determination within our group to do well for Ireland and do the jersey proud every time we get the opportunity.

“We’ve never beaten New Zealand and I notice a few changes in the All Blacks squad, but certainly there is a lot of quality, strength and depth in New Zealand rugby and everybody knows that.

“We’ve had a long season but Munster have had good success winning the Heineken Cup and Leinster winning the Magners League, and there’s a bit of a spring in our step and we’re ready for one last drive at the end of the season.”

Quinlan revealed Ireland believe they can win against New Zealand despite a 10-10 draw at Lansdowne Road in 1973 being the only time they have not lost to those opponents in the past 20 encounters.

He said: “A few years ago we didn’t believe we could win these games.

“It’s always a hard game and the All Blacks will always be favourites when they play Ireland, but we play every game to win and Saturday will be no different.”