Monday 14 November 2016 11:35, UK
Joe Schmidt has challenged Ireland to withstand a furious backlash from a 'fully-loaded' New Zealand side seeking revenge in Dublin on Saturday.
The Irish head coach has believes they caught New Zealand at an 'opportune time' for their first-ever victory over their storied opponents, the 40-29 win in Chicago on 5 November.
Steve Hansen's back-to-back world champions were beset by a host of second-row injury problems that day, but will have peerless lock Brodie Retallick back in their ranks at the Aviva Stadium for the Sky Live meeting.
"I think they'll come full strength, fully loaded; maybe we surprised them a little bit in Chicago," said Schmidt.
"While they'd spent a lot of time together, a lot of that time was with Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock at lock.
"They had that big reshuffle in the second row, and we won three lineout balls in the first half that gave us access to the ball and I thought we did well with it. That's how we accumulated our points.
"They are extremely well coached and incredibly well prepared physically, and I think the rate they play at if they have the ball, you're under pressure if they've got it.
"And I think they'll have more access to it if they've got their second row back."
Ireland made history with their first win over New Zealand in 111 years of trying in the United States.
South Africa were the last team to beat New Zealand in successive encounters, back in 2009, further emphasising the scale of Ireland's challenge.
"We probably got them at an opportune time in Chicago. They'd had 18 wins in a row," Schmidt said.
"Then even in the back-end of the game I think Ryan Crotty has been outstanding for them, he's been a real linchpin.
"He's been the hub of their midfield both in attack and defence, organising and striking some really good lines.
"Losing him then losing George Moala as well, that allowed us to manage the end-game with a little more calmness."