Wayne Smith: 'I just can’t see Ireland winning a test series in New Zealand'

Wayne Smith: “I think the All Blacks have always been good at adapting quickly, and I think it's going to be the same this time. The trend I've seen particularly with Ireland, and France is the development of tight forwards who can do the core work and also play like backs, pass close to the opposition and get the ball away.

There was a time not so long ago when the overriding emotion in the build-up to an Ireland tour of New Zealand was outright fear. A lack of hope engulfed numerous Ireland teams who were almost beaten before they took the field by the aura surrounding several All Blacks sides. 

Ireland have taken some real beatings in New Zealand over the years with the worst occurring a decade ago when Declan Kidney’s men got annihilated 60-0 by Steve Hansen’s side in Hamilton.