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DUBLIN - The accent was different, but the message sounded familiar.
Just as the Scots spoke optimistically about beating the All Blacks last weekend, one of Ireland rugby's nearly men also accentuated the positive ahead of the test against New Zealand here on Sunday (NZT).
Paul O'Connell might
seem an unusual candidate to talk up his team's chances given he has already endured seven defeats by the All Blacks - four for Ireland and three for the British and Irish Lions.
But the Munster lock felt his last three disappointments in Hamilton and Auckland two years ago plus Wellington this season pointed to a potentially happier outcome on home soil.
Ireland were beaten on each occasion although never by more than 11 points.
In O'Connell's eyes, that was proof of progress, an indication 103 years of Irish heartache could end this weekend.
The most recent reversal, 11-21 in a very cold Wellington on June 7, warmed the Irish in one respect because they felt they were at least competitive.
"We've never competed against them so consistently as we have in the last few years," O'Callaghan told the Irish Independent newspaper from the team's base in Limerick.
"Historically with Irish teams, their fitness would have been poor against these guys, but I think we've bridged that gap as well.
"We've always been there or thereabouts at the end, we just need to get that little bit of something to get us over the line."
That intangible quality has eluded Irish teams since their rivalry with the All Blacks started in 1905 but perhaps in new coach Declan Kidney they have found the means to loosen the psychological hold New Zealand seem to exert.
A two-time Heineken Cup winner as coach of Munster, Kidney has succeeded in instilling a mental toughness into his provincial players.
Could he do the same with the national side?
"That's where we need to get to," O'Connell said.
"You've got to the stage now where (reserve Irish fullback) Keith Earls comes in with Munster, not just expecting to win, he expects to win a Heineken Cup.
"That's where we need to get to with Ireland and that's a very hard thing; to change the attitude and psyche of people."
O'Connell confessed to viewing the All Blacks with a degree of envy.
"They've got a great mental attitude when it comes to games against us. Whenever they're in trouble they pull it out of the fire.
"That's why we have such a bad record against them but we've still got a lot of belief, a lot of the guys are on form," he said before applying some Irish logic.
"The All Blacks are stoppable, although on their day they look unstoppable."
Meanwhile, Ireland halfback Tomas O'Leary has recovered from a foot injury and has been for Sunday's test.
Kidney decided to leave the more experienced Eoin Reddan on the bench and O'Leary will make his second international appearance against the All Blacks.
Kidney has made six changes from the side that crushed Canada 55-0 on Sunday, bringing back more experienced players such as fullback Girvan Dempsey, prop John Hayes and hooker Rory Best. Alan Quinlan and David Wallace also return in the back row.
"The changes weren't easy because the boys did well against Canada at the weekend," said Kidney. "We have selected a team with a skill set that gives us the best possible chance on Saturday."
ALL BLACKS V IRELAND
Played 21 - New Zealand won 20; Ireland won 0, drawn 1
Points scored - New Zealand 538; Ireland 210
First test: New Zealand 15 Ireland 0 at Dublin, Nov 25 1905
Latest test: New Zealand 21 Ireland 11 at Wellington, June 7 2008
Drawn match: 10-10 at Dublin, Jan 20 1973
New Zealand's biggest winning margin: 53 points - New Zealand 59 Ireland 6 at Wellington, June 6 1992
New Zealand's winning sequence: 15 tests - Nov 11, 1974 to present day.
All Blacks
Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Kieran Read, Piri Weepu, Stephen Donald, Isaia Toeava.
Ireland
Girvan Dempsey, Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll (captain), Luke Fitzgerald, Robert Kearney, Ronan O'Gara, Tomas O'Leary, Jamie Heaslip, David Wallace, Alan Quinlan, Paul O'Connell, Donncha O'Callaghan, John Hayes, Rory Best, Marcus Horan.
Reserves: Jerry Flannery, Tony Buckley, Stephen Ferris, Shane Jennings, Eoin Reddan, Paddy Wallace, Keith Earls.
- NZPA, AP