Tuesday 15 November 2016 10:40, UK
Ireland hooker Sean Cronin expects to face a much-improved New Zealand on Saturday but says Joe Schmidt has made his team believe they are a match for anyone.
The Irish snapped a 111-year losing streak against the All Blacks on November 5 in Chicago and the world's No 1 team will attempt to exact their revenge at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, in a game which will be live on Sky Sports 2 HD.
No team has claimed successive victories over the All Blacks since South Africa in 2009 but Cronin has faith in Schmidt to craft a game plan which will give Ireland a chance of emulating that feat.
"There's no better man than Joe to put together a game plan to go and attack them this week," said Cronin, with Ireland desperate to back up the 40-29 victory at Soldier Field.
"And I'm sure Joe has been in the think-tank with the rest of the coaches devising something special for us."
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen is likely to make changes to his line-up for this weekend's game after being boosted by the return of a couple of his key players.
Stellar lock Brodie Retallick will start and fellow second row Sam Whitelock could also return.
That would allow star blindside flanker Jerome Kaino to return to his natural place at No 6 after starting in the second row in Chicago and restore the core of the pack that helped New Zealand storm to a record 18 straight victories before losing to the Irish.
"They're going to have a lot of changes, they've got world-class players in Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock to come back into the row, possibly moving Jerome Kaino back to the back row where he's been fantastic for years," Cronin said.
"It's a different team coming to the Aviva, so that's an area the coaches will have to look at for the selection they make too.
"It's got to be a different mentality, depending on their selection."
Ireland have no fresh injury issues after their comfortable 52-21 win over Canada on Saturday, and Iain Henderson's return to full fitness boosts resources in the second row.
Connacht powerhouse Ultan Dillane - after a man-of-the-match display against the Canadians - is likely to maintain a seat on the bench at Henderson's expense, however, with the Ulster man only just over his shoulder trouble.
Cronin says Ireland will go into the game full of confidence but knows they will have to raise their performance levels if they are to cope with the inevitable New Zealand backlash.
"We always have confidence that we can go out and match any team on the day, as long as we put in the performance and really hone in on the different aspects of the specific game that's required," said Cronin.
"There's a few areas we can take out of the Canada game and in Chicago where we can look to improve on.
"We weren't happy with our maul defence against Canada, our attack structure, there are areas there and there were parts of our defence in Chicago too.
"As long as we get the attitude right, the physicality and the mentality, we know we can match anyone."
