November Internationals:
Ireland V All Blacks (3 - 22) 15th November 2008

A chance to make history is missed as the might of the All Blacks is just too much for Ireland

What’s the feeling in the Irish camp today?

We are all disappointed, very disappointed. It was such a big opportunity we could have made history but they were just a much better side and they deserved the win. We didn’t take them on enough and just couldn’t deliver what we wanted.

What is it like facing down the Haka?

The Haka is great. It is a huge part of the rugby tradition. As players it’s just a routine pre-match you don’t let it interfere with your preparation. I am looking forward to seeing it on Tuesday when they play in Thomand.

Did you feel the physicality of the All Blacks just wasn’t matched by Ireland?

We just never took them on enough we looked second best at every position, that’s why it’s so disappointing. We just didn’t play our best.

Is it difficult to come off the bench and into a game like that?

Bringing someone off the bench during a game is all about making an impact, it’s about re-energising other players. It was very difficult to do as the structure had gone out of the game by that time.

There were long delays in the All Black throw in did that make challenging the lineouts more difficult?

They play that way. Their jumpers are just waiting to pick their moment to go, and then blink and you miss it. The return on the lineout was reasonable enough.

Where does the team go from here in terms of it’s preparation for Argentina?

We reviewed the match on Saturday and highlighted the areas where we weren’t effective. We just didn’t get out of the starting blocks. We prepared well and things just didn’t go well on the day. We will just park the experience and look forward to the game against Argentina. New Zealand are ranked the best team in the world and are the benchmark at the moment. They have such strength and dept and a huge number of players to choose from.

How do you feel Munster will do against the All Blacks on Tuesday?

Munster has a strong side. It will be important how they play the first 20 minutes and Munster will have to match the All Blacks physically. Munster will need to come out firing on all cylinders; they have got to be up there and in their faces right from the start. Need to play a pressure game and keep that pressure on for 80 minuets. It will be a great occasion and I am sure the crowd will be fully behind them.

Jerry Flannery in conversation with USN