Declan Kidney believes Ireland have a chance of beating world champions New Zealand in the first Test in Auckland on Saturday.
The Ireland coach said: “When you are playing the world champions in their own back yard in their first game after the World Cup, you have to be on the top of your game. There’s no secrets around any of that. But we believe that if we are, then we’re well in with a shout.”
Kidney will hand first caps to Munster wing Simon Zebo and Ulster prop Declan Fitzpatrick, and captain Brian O’Driscoll returns from injury.
Ireland’s assistant coach, Les Kiss, is looking forward to the midfield battle between O’Driscoll and Sonny Bill Williams. He said: “You are talking about one of the greatest in Brian and one of these guys who is an absolute beast on the field.”
Ireland: R Kearney; F McFadden, B O’Driscoll (captain), K Earls, S Zebo; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, D Fitzpatrick, D Tuohy, D Ryan, P O’Mahony, S O’Brien, J Heaslip. Reps: S Cronin, R Loughney, D O’Callaghan, K McLaughlin, E Reddan, R O’Gara, D Cave.
