New Zealand looked really awesome against Wales, didn't they?
 |  I didn't spot too many weaknesses against Wales |
It's very tough to know whether they can be beaten. They are obviously the best side in the world and it is going to be very difficult for Ireland. I heard some people saying that Wales really didn't play. But I felt they did play some good rugby and kept up with the pace of the game.
It just seemed to me that the All Blacks were just able to step up a gear - forgive the pun - and score at will at times.
I didn't spot too many weaknesses against Wales that Ireland could take advantage of.
We would need to sit down and study the video before we can spot any flaws - if there are any.
They have come over here with a few new faces and one or two injuries, but it doesn't really seem to matter.
Having played and lived in New Zealand, I know that rugby union is like a religion and the biggest game in the country, so it's no wonder that they have so much strength in depth.
I believe they could turn out three teams of equal ability.
But nothing is impossible for the rest of us during their 'grand slam' tour.
It's hard playing four games in four weeks. We know what it's like playing the Six Nations, so it will be difficult to achieve their goal of beating everybody.
As for Ireland, it promises to be an interesting season. We won all three games last autumn, and coach Eddie O'Sullivan is openly asking for three wins again.
I just don't know what will happen. All we are worried about now is the game next Saturday. That's enough to be going on with at present.
| The new boys did get a working over |
Good to see a clatter of young Ulster boys coming into the international squad. A big fuss was made a couple of years ago about how few Ulster players there were coming through. Now we are besieged with them!
Youngsters like Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble are fitting in really well. Tommy is so laid back he's horizontal.
As is customary, the new boys did get a working over. Tommy and Andrew's room was trashed in ceremonial fashion.
The trouble is, it never fazed them. But to be honest there has not been too many high jinks going on just yet.
I've a new room-mate this season, thanks to Simon Easterby's hooter.
Because of the surgery he had to his nose, he requested a room to himself because of the pain.
Well, that really put me out. He got a little bit of abuse about that and I personally gave him a bit of grief, asking what I did wrong.
He came up with some excuse that the management gave him the separate room because of the injury. Poor dear.
I suspect they might give him up to the last minute to recover. We will know a lot more in a few days.
I don't know what Eddie's team plans are for New Zealand, but I would love to have a go at full-back.
Then again, I don't really mind, as long as I have a green jersey on my back.
MMIX
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