Ireland captain Dan Sheehan has reassured supporters that they will not be undercooked ahead of tomorrow's clash with the All Blacks in Chicago (8.10pm Irish time).
The test Lion from the summer, who has only played 36 minutes of rugby since the tour of Australia, was keen to stress that heavy impact training sessions means Ireland are well up to the task they face at Soldier Field.
The Ireland matchday squad averages just 111 minutes of competitive rugby so far this season, with the likes of Jack Conan and Caelan Doris set for their seasonal debuts, but this is no concern for Sheehan.
"I've seen a good bit that we might be undercooked, but I don't think it's a massive part," Sheehan told reporters after Friday's captains run.
"I think the way we've prepped over the last two weeks has been through real tough training [sessions] and we can take confidence from that and how we trained.
"Obviously a few lads have played a bit more game time but I think people are good and refreshed bodies ready to rip into Saturday."
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Ireland will be looking to emulate the success of 2016, when a spirited Ireland side, led by Joe Schmidt, turned over the Kiwis for the first time ever in a men’s international.
Sheehan and co. have made themselves at home around the 'Windy City’, as have the fans who have started to arrive in in their droves. There’s a noticeable buzz around one of America’s great sporting cities.
"[There is] a lot of Irish in already and nice and early and you can get a bit of a buzz around town," Sheehan said.
"Everyone has a memory of where they were and how special that day was.
"Obviously, we've had some big battles against New Zealand over the years since then.
"I think everyone's pretty buzzed to almost feel a part of that day in 2016 and for the rematch as it's being sort of put to happen again."
"The excitement among the group is massive."
Sheehan will lead out Ireland for just the second time on Saturday night, having previously done so in the 2025 Six Nations against Wales, and not forgetting his Lions captaincy over the summer.
It’s a new role for the Leinster hooker, but one that he does not let change his weekly routine to any ill-effect.
"Nothing majorly changes for myself or my own prep and I'll go about my business as usual obviously with a bit of a mind on the rest of the lads.
"There's so many leaders in our group and we've got a great leadership group that almost do the work for us and throughout the years we've always sort of just taken our own little bits through the week that we have to lead."
If Ireland are to win, and claim a first win over New Zealand since the tour glory back in the summer of 2022, a lot will need to go right for Andy Farrell’s men.
Ireland have trailed at half-time in each of their last five defeats to the perennial top dogs, so Sheehan reminded everyone of the need to get out of the blocks early.
"I think how we start tomorrow will be big," Sheehan reminded reporters.
"I think anytime we've gone well against New Zealand, we've had a good start and sort of apply the pressure rather than react to them.
"But [it’s] professional sport so it could go either way and we just need to be able to switch momentum if we have to, or keep momentum if we have it.
"I think where we play the game and not overplaying in our own half and stuff like that will be a big part."
Ireland have turned games around against Australia, South Africa, Wales and England in recent seasons, but the All Blacks, the proven winners that they are, are a notoriously difficult team to switch up on.
Should Ireland repeat the magic of 2016, buoyed by the spirit of the late Anthony Foley, then expect a fast and frenetic start like we saw during those two infamous test wins on New Zealand soil three years ago.
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