A complete performance in the decider gives Ireland a great shot at a historic series win according to Dan Sheehan.
Ireland face the All Blacks in the third and final game of the series on Saturday morning and they have a chance to make history with a win.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Dan Sheehan said that being a part of yesterday's history making squad will stick with him forever.
"Obviously we weren't happy with last week, but I think today's was scrappy at times, but we played better today," he said.
"To be part of a history making squad will be something that will stick with me for the rest of my life. To go one step further next week would be unbelievable."
The Leinster hooker says that while Ireland showed patches of brilliance, more will be required if they are to beat the All Blacks again.
"I think we've shown patches of what we can do and how we can cause New Zealand problems, but I think we need to get 80 minutes, an 80-minute performance."
"I think if we can get our 80-minute performance it'll be a good game next week, and we have a great shot of doing it."
Sheehan played an important role in Ireland's 23-12 victory in Dunedin. Ireland took an early lead thanks to a try from Andrew Porter before there were discipline problems for both teams.
'The game wasn't perfect but we were calm, we didn’t get sucked in' - Ireland boss Andy Farrell spoke to #RTESport @MichaelC_RTE after #NZLvIRE #RTERugby pic.twitter.com/GOJVQiU1qR
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) July 9, 2022
Sheehan said there are plenty of lessons for Ireland to learn ahead of the decider.
"We got that early try and then the game slowed down due to discipline problems from both teams, and we didn't stay composed, we got a bit greedy trying to do our own thing," he said.
"I think we'll take the lesson that we have to stick to our systems. Towards the end of that first half if we'd stuck to our systems we might have got a few more tries, or a few more points out of it."
Sheehan was replaced by Rob Herring after the hour mark and he says Ireland came to New Zealand with the ambition of a series win.
Now they have broken their duck on New Zealand soil, attention will now turn to writing their name in the history books with a series win.
"It's something incredibly special to be a part of. We came here with the ambition to win a series, win all five games we had."
"Obviously we weren't happy with last week. I think today's was scrappy at times, but we played better today. Being a part of history, a first Irish team to win in New Zealand, is special. But we definitely have another game in us."
