Luke Fitzgerald says Ireland can inflict more pain on All Blacks

By Reuters

Image: Ireland ended New Zealand 18-game winning streak in Chicago

New Zealand were punished for showing "a lack of respect" to Ireland when they lost in Chicago and could be in for another shock in Saturday's rematch, according to former Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald.

Joe Schmidt's side delivered one of rugby's biggest shocks of the year by winning 40-29 on November 5 to end the All Blacks' 18-game winning run and become the first team since South Africa in 2004 to score 40 points against them.

Fitzgerald, who retired from rugby earlier this year after winning 34 caps for Ireland and one for the British and Irish Lions, said Steve Hansen's world champions would be a tougher proposition on Saturday as Ireland bid to become the first side to post back-to-back victories against them since South Africa in 2009.

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"Do I think we can beat New Zealand again? I absolutely do," said Fitzgerald. "It's a really uphill task, they'll be really hurting after that defeat in Chicago.

"I think they showed a little bit of arrogance there and lack of respect with some of their selections.

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"I think they'll be really, really pumped up for this one. I'd say they'll do a little bit more research behind the scenes on us. I'd say they were a little bit under-cooked in that department and, from my own perspective, some of the selection mistakes that they made they won't make them again."

Liam Neeson narrates Ireland's 2023 Rugby World Cup bid promo. Watch it here... Credit: Irish Rugby

New Zealand bounced back from the loss by making 12 changes to score 10 tries in a 68-10 win over Italy last Saturday, while Ireland also played free-flowing rugby to beat Canada 52-21.

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The All Blacks are hoping influential second row Sam Whitelock is fit to return after injury, allowing them to move Jerome Kaino back to flanker.

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Ireland ruthlessly exploited that scrum weakness in Chicago and Fitzgerald expects a similar gameplan on Saturday.

"The things we did well, we can definitely do again," he said. "I think the pressure we got on all around the park, the desire we showed... I think in front of a packed Aviva Stadium we can definitely do that again."

Ireland's standout player in Chicago, scrum-half Conor Murray, has recovered from a muscle injury and is fit to play.

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