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"There was the one in 2013 - I'm still bleeding from that" - Joe Schmidt

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt admits that he is still reeling from Ireland's last-gasp 24-22 defeat t...



"There was the one in 2013...
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"There was the one in 2013 - I'm still bleeding from that" - Joe Schmidt

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt admits that he is still reeling from Ireland's last-gasp 24-22 defeat to New Zealand in 2013 in Dublin.

The Irish led 22-17 heading into the dying minutes - only for Ryan Crotty to score a late try which was subsequently converted by Aaron Cruden, at the second attempt. 

Ireland finally beat the All Blacks with a 40-29 win in Chicago in 2015 but the Irish coach still feels he has a score to settle with his native land. 

The match next weekend pits the top two ranked teams in World Rugby against one another less than a year out from the Rugby World Cup and speaking after his side's win over Argentina in Dublin, Schmidt said: "I'd be delighted if we could be as competitive as we were the last three times we've played them.

"The fact that the points differential between us is so narrow, the fact that in those three games - there was that one in 2013, I am still bleeding from that. It hurts when that happens.

"And, while Chicago was a great band-aid, in fact it was a full bandage - it was great but two weeks later we were very, very much in the game and it was very tough - very, very tough. 

"As physical as it was tonight - it was a step up the last time they were in town so the challenge for our guys is to step up and I'm confident they can and at the same time I'm well aware of what challenges the All Blacks present," he added.    

New Zealand arrive in Dublin as Rugby Championship winners and will be relieved to have left Twickenham with a one point win after a late call intervention from the video referee chalked off an England try. 

It will also be the last time Ireland face southern hemisphere opposition before they depart for the Rugby World Cup in Japan next year.   

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