O'Driscoll takes the positives

Brian O’Driscoll was heartened by Ireland’s confidence-restoring performance in a 38-18 defeat against the All Blacks at Aviva Stadium.

Richie McCaw’s men were convincing winners with tries from Kieran Read (2), Anthony Boric and Sam Whitelock but O’Driscoll drew comfort from a rousing Irish display.

Ireland, buoyed by a Stephen Ferris try, led 13-12 until Anthony Boric’s try in the last minute of the first half but the All Blacks pulled away with early second-half tries from Read and Whitelock.

“We will take the positives,” Ireland skipper O’Driscoll told BBC2. “We did play some great stuff and we had them under the coch for long periods of that first half.

“There were also far few unforced errors today.

“But the overall feeling is that we have played well for 60 to 70 minutes and have got punished for a couple of bad spells – the two minutes before half-time and the 10 minutes after.

“We were chasing the game after that,” admitted O’Driscoll, who claimed Ireland’s second try when the match was already firmly in the All Blacks’ grasp.

All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw felt patience had been the key to his side’s triumph which keeps them on course for an autumn series Tests grand slam.

“We had to work hard for it,” said McCaw.

“I’m proud of the way the guys played. We were playing some good rugby and I knew if we were patient and hung on to the ball we would get our opportunities.

“It was a good tough Test match with both teams ready to have a crack.”

McCaw’s men have seen off England, Scotland and Ireland and will be looking to complete a clean sweep of victories over the Home Nations against Wales next weekend.

“We have another big challenge next week but we will will enjoy this win first,” added McCaw.