Rugby:Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll has been passed fit to start tomorrow's test between Ireland and New Zealand in New Plymouth despite suffering from dizzy spells that forced him to miss today's final training session.
O’Driscoll stayed in his hotel room as the rest of the Ireland squad put the finishing touches to their preparations at a wet and windy Yarrow Stadium but arrived later for the pre-match press conference.
Describing the problem, as "a little bit of vertigo" O'Driscoll said he would be fine for kick-off tomorrow (8.35.am Irish time.
"I feel okay, a bit better than last night so I'll be grand in another 24 hours," he said. "I get a little bit of vertigo now and again. I haven't had it for a while but I'll be grand."
Looking forward to tomorrow’s match, the centre believes every single Irish player will have to play to their limit if the side are to end a losing streak against the All Blacks stretching back 105 years.
"We have to play one of our better games in an Irish jersey, collectively, not just seven or eight of us. In the past we've put in good performances for 50 or 60 minutes and not for the full 80.
"Any time we've been in with a shout we've taken the foot off or New Zealand have put us under pressure for the last 20. It's about playing a full 80 minute game and trying to play as much attacking rugby as possible."
Today’s media briefing was somewhat overshadowed by the news that Sonny Bill Williams has agreed a deal with the New Zealand Rugby Union that runs until the end of 2011 — hoping to prove his worth and get a shot at World Cup glory next year.
The 24-year-old made the switch to rugby in controversial circumstances when he quit the National Rugby League team Canterbury Bulldogs to join Toulon two years ago.
Now the lure of the black jersey has seen the player turn down a reported New Zealand dollars €3 million three-year deal from the French club to return home.
With the news the talk of the town, even O’Driscoll was asked to give an opinion on the signing.
“He’s obviously a very exciting talented player,” he said. “It was great to have him switch codes and come into union. You want the best players in the world to be playing and to play against. It’s a great signing. I’m sure he’ll do well.”
While much has been made of the anticipated full-blooded battle up front, meanwhile, New Zealand skipper Richie McCaw insisted his side would also need to be ready for the threat posed by the strike-power of O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy, Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble in the Irish back line.
“The outsides are pretty good with ball in hand. If you give them space to counter-attack and if you don’t get your defence right they certainly have the players that can hurt you,” McCaw admitted.
“You saw that during the Six Nations. When they get on the front foot and get nice front-foot ball they play a pretty good game.”
McCaw was also adamant that this Test and the two against Wales were not seen as just a warm-up to the more highly charged Tri-Nations series with Australia and South Africa.
“We’ve got some pretty keen guys here. Probably what has happened during the Super 14 has added to that because, to be frank, all the teams from New Zealand in the Super 14 didn’t play to the standard we are after,” he added.
“You almost get to start the season again and the guys that have been here a while are certainly keen to be back and there’s also the excitement of the new fellas. You’re all playing for your spots really — that’s the attitude we’ve got.”