Unbeaten All Blacks out to maintain record

Thursday 10 June 2010
Published By: Amy Nicholson
International Rugby > New Zealand

The New Zealand All Blacks are going into their test match on Saturday with Ireland keen to defend their unbeaten home record.

The unbeaten home record covers 22 tests in New Zealand and the record has stood for the last 105 years and the Kiwi's are keen to keep the record going despite a recent history of struggling in their first test of the year.

The All Blacks task is made that much harder by injuries and dip in form to some of their key players.  Star fly-half Dan Carter has performed well below his usual standards in the Super 14 but expects to be back on form as soon as he pulls on the black shirt.

Carter said "It is a long season and I am not concerned about what's happened to date, I'm still confident in my abilities. Putting on the black jersey is a little bit special. I'm looking forward to that and I'm confident of turning things around and improving as the season goes on."

Ireland arrived in New Plymouth this morning ahead of the clash and with major injury problems of their own, with captain Paul O'Connell, Rory Best, Kevin McLaghlin, Stephen Ferris, Luke Fitzgerald, Denis Leamy and now Keith Earls all missing from action.

Brian O'Driscoll captains the side in O'Connells absence and the Irish side includes two uncapped players in the starting line up, Sean Cronin and John Muldoon.