IS IT just me or are the economics and rugby sections of the media synchronised? Since I returned from Sydney in the summer all I read, see and hear is doom and gloom. There seems to be a pessimism and defeatism about pretty much every aspect of Irish life.

The overriding message I’m getting is the Irish rugby team are mere slaves waiting for their ritual beating from their masters, New Zealand. And that it is deserved. This attitude really annoys me. You are either part of the solution or part of the problem. Whingeing solves nothing.

None of this is coming from inside the Irish camp. I was pleased to hear young players like Rob Kearney and Stephen Ferris state their belief that they can win today. The lack of a united front from the public and media merely fuels the aura of the tourists.

I find it hard to cope with as I am simply not used to that mentality (The only time I saw the absence of it was last Tuesday night down in the Thomond Park storm; well done Munster. The Wallabies didn’t know what hit them).

Since I first arrived on this island 12 years ago I have constantly encountered the “No you can’t” attitude, rather than the “Yes we can”. I had a coffee with the former Lions prop Paul Wallace the other day. He said it himself, “Yeah, we do negativity very well here”. Forget about the all powerful, unbeatable “All Black” myth. They are just a group of men from New Zealand. Just ask the French.

I believe the collective media have muddled up their perspective these past few weeks. There was an expectation that South Africa would be steamrolled but that was never going to happen against their pack. Samoa were considered an unorganised joke and they were nothing of the sort.

Equally, I do not believe the gap between New Zealand and Ireland is so vast.

Since the Grand Slam was captured in 2009 what has been the main priority for this team? The whole country bought into the pursuit of bridging the gap to Karl Mullen’s 1948 legends but what now? Everyone loves to mention the World Cup. Well, what about the World Cup? Quarters? Semis? Winners? Or just get out of the Pool? To commit to finally beating New Zealand seems like the next rational goal for Ireland to aspire towards.

England, France, Australia and South Africa have beaten them in the past seven years, when rugby in this country has flourished, and each of these nations has been scalped by Irish opposition during this period.

All these teams won by attacking via the maul, employing an accurate kicking game and running hard from deep. They also attacked the short side when New Zealand were disorganised.

New Zealand may be ruthless and brilliant but they have an unfair advantage.

I am against the haka. It has morphed from its cultural quirkiness to verbal and physical abuse. It used to be a celebration of the Maori culture in New Zealand but it is now a tool used to bully and intimidate the opposition.

If it is so important to them they can do it in the changing room. The IRB have pandered to them for too long.

To me, it signifies the threat of violence.

True, rugby is a game of physical confrontation so the only way to meet this is with physical violence of your own.

I’m not talking about brutality but the violent act committed on Brian O’Driscoll in the opening seconds of the first Lions Test in 2005 is not a one-off example of the violence New Zealand teams are capable of committing.

Paul Carozza, the Australian winger in the 1990s, had his nose smashed by the forearm of New Zealand prop Richard Loe after he had crossed for a try at Ballymore.

The greatest ever Wallaby, Ken Catchpole, whose statue stands outside the Sydney football stadium, was dragged from a ruck by New Zealand legend Colin Meads, damaging a ligament in his groin that prematurely ended his career.

Australians haven’t forgotten this. Should the Irish let 2005 slide? They must meet the haka with equal ferocity. The physical nature of Tests against South Africa and Samoa will stand them in good stead.

But the precision of the New Zealand passing is something entirely superior. They have altered their focus towards cardiovascular fitness rather than power. They are still incredibly powerful but they are slighter in build, performing the basics perfectly and at amazing pace.

The key to Australia beating them in Hong Kong was they matched their pace. It took 81 minutes of relentless attack.

Ireland are good enough but it will be about internal leaders taking responsibility.

That brings us to Brian O’Driscoll. In my opinion, Brian remains the best captain in world rugby. Better than Richie McCaw. His personal performances for 11 years have been extraordinary.

To captain New Zealand is a great honour but it is hardly an onerous task, considering the talent they possess, in comparison to the demands placed upon O’Driscoll.

Brian’s single-mindedness has had a helluva lot to do with the growth of rugby in this country.

Paul O’Connell and others have undoubtedly carried this on but Brian’s sensational acts of bravery and skill have launched the team to the highest echelons of the sport.

For the second time in two years, I am already hearing the whispers about him being past it. Yet again, this is ill-informed.

It is the height of ignorance to blame a three-quarter when the front eight are failing to lay the necessary platform. The same happened to George Gregan at the end of his career when the Wallaby pack was being dismantled.

Brian’s work-rate against the Springboks and Samoa was phenomenal. Watch the video closely before you make any more foolish comments. Just look at the build-up to Jamie Heaslip’s try last weekend. Saturday marks only his fourth 80 minutes this season. He will get even better as his fitness peaks. The problem for Ireland is the lack of parity up front. That means O’Driscoll’s chief lieutenants must step up. O’Connell is not there so others must fill the void.

Stephen Ferris needs to look within himself for the aggressive warrior who terrified South African provincial players in the summer of ’09.

Donncha O’Callaghan must lead by example while showing some intelligence. Rory Best and Heaslip, in particular, should take more ownership of the team.

These men are capable of better performances. No point singing “cometh the power and the glory” and not doing it.

The team must show they have a plan that everyone buys into from one to 22.

It is time for everyone to step up. The national team are not the IRFU. They did not set the ticket prices. They have provided us with chest-filling pride and enjoyment over the years.

Your raw emotion and support is needed this evening. Time to turn the Aviva into the sporting cauldron it once was.

I have no doubt they are capable of beating New Zealand, if not today then some day soon. Break down the myth and just play the men in front of you. They are just bloody New Zealanders.