David Leggat: Irish have chance to turn history on its head

A word in Irish ears before tonight's set-to at Eden Park: resist taking a peek at the history books. You won't like what you see.

When Ireland have played second tests in New Zealand, the news has been all bad. In 1992, Ireland almost beat the All Blacks at Carisbrook in the series opener, losing 24-21. They were then whumped 59-6 at Athletic Park in the second test.

(Remember that lovely old ground, by the way? Whistling wind and the wobbling, precariously angled Millard Stand where, from its top deck, the inhabitants were inclined to urinate over the back wall. It possessed perhaps the world's crappiest dressing rooms, which on a wet day tended to flood. Players have told tales of seeing their socks float out the door. All charm and character.)

Four years ago, it was 15-6 to the All Blacks, again at Carisbrook, before a 40-8 clean-up at Eden Park a week later. So the trick for Ireland, who performed strongly and perhaps should have won in Hamilton last weekend, is to back it up tonight.

One-hit wonders are a dime a dozen; the true mark of a team's progress is if they can pick themselves up after a disappointment and do it all over again.

Take the World Cup. The real one.

Trinidad and Tobago did remarkably to draw with Sweden in their opener. They then held England scoreless until the 83rd minute yesterday.

They will go home next weekend - presuming they don't do the unimaginable and progress to the last 16 - with heads up and having earned a reputation as fast learners who grabbed their opportunity against some heavy hitters on the biggest of all stages.

If Ireland stand tall again at Eden Park, even go one better than last week, they will have grown significantly, both in the eyes of their countrymen and in New Zealand. No longer will they be seen as a 60-minute team who eventually fall over.

It's a tough challenge but remember they're not up against the strongest All Black team.

Whichever way you slice it, this is just another All Black World Cup trial. There are 11 more this year.

So if the Irish feel insulted at not facing the best the most famous rugby nation can offer, being guinea pigs in a World Cup laboratory, then it won't hurt from a motivational perspective.

There has been a tendency to look at the Irish down the years as a good bunch, who'll give it a lash before, win or lose, settling in for a long night on the large. An Irish mate once described it thus: "If we lose, we'll have a few drinks; if we win, we'll have a few more."

Their present captain doesn't strike you as someone who takes defeat as a chance for a spot of yo-ho-ho, drink up lads. Brian O'Driscoll has some hard-nosed types about him this time so there has to be a decent chance, if they've had their thinking caps on this week, that they will again stretch an All Black team who were poor for much of the night at Hamilton.

As the All Blacks trial process continues, the spotlight goes on Casey Laulala tonight. The centre of attention, if you like.

He is talented but he'll have his hands full with O'Driscoll. It should be an intriguing contest.

Laulala must not waste an ideal opportunity to show he could be the answer to the one backline position which may be furrowing selectorial brows. For these All Blacks this match, this year, is all about grabbing their chances. And that puts them in the same boat as Ireland tonight.