'Skill of All Blacks will be tough to deal with' - O’Sullivan
Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has rubbished suggestions New Zealand have selected their second string for tomorrow's clash at Lansdowne Road.
The All Blacks have named a completely different team from last Saturday's 41-3 thrashing of Wales but O'Sullivan claims it is still a star-studded line-up full of world-class talent.
"I've heard people say this is second XV so I had a look at the team-sheet," said the Ireland coach, who is hoping to mastermind the nation's first victory over New Zealand.
"There's Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Ali Williams, Richie McCaw, Piri Weepu, Aaron Mauger, Leon MacDonald, Doug Howlett and Sitiveni Sivivatu - I rest my case. If that's a second XV I'll eat my hat.
"Graham Henry has been very smart here. He's picked a good side for Wales and has done the same thing for us. It's a strong New Zealand XV who won't do us many favours.''
O'Sullivan denies New Zealand can be caught cold with all 15 players winning their first start of the tour and points out Ireland, who are missing talisman skipper Brian O'Driscoll, are in a similar position.
"This is the first game on the tour for them and they have to get out of the blocks. Some of the combinations won't have played together. But it's also our first game of the season as an international XV," he said.
"We've gone through a fair bit of transition ourselves as well. We're both in the same boat and I don't think that is any real advantage. They have been training together for a few weeks now."
New Zealand pulverised Wales up-front last Saturday and their backs reaped the rewards, scoring five tries in a clinical display that confirmed the All Blacks are operating light years ahead of northern hemisphere teams.
