Following the Covid-19 outbreak at the camp last week, all players and support staff landed at Dunedin Airport this afternoon.
They were greeted by a few fans eager to congratulate them on winning 42-19 in the opening test at Eden Park in Auckland last night.
The Kapahaka Group provided an official welcome and All Blacks captain Sam Kane replied.
The All Blacks will spend a week in Dunedin prior to the second test, but the Irish team will not arrive until Wednesday night.
Ireland will gain hope in defeat: Foster
All Blacks coach Ian Foster hopes Ireland has gained confidence ahead of Dunedin’s test, despite losing the opening round of the three-game series.
Foster’s side was forced to secure a fierce victory and endure a sustained period of intense Irish pressure on their trilines after lagging behind Keith Earl’s early attempts.
The pair will face off again on Saturday, ending their third test in Wellington on July 16th. Foster believes Irish coach Andy Farrell and his team will be boosted by their performance in Auckland.
“They could have had a good glimpse of the good moments in that first quarter, especially in the third quarter, and even the way I left with a little hope I would have thought.” Foster said.
“I thought I was really ruthless when I got the points, but I was under a lot of pressure, so I thought I just put a pass mark, especially defensively.
“I thought our goal line was great, but in reality they had too many opportunities to get behind us.
“They will be happy with it, so I think they will work hard on their phase play.”
New Zealand lost three of the last five meetings with Ireland entering the test last night.
Foster has also been under increasing pressure after the All Blacks have been defeated in a series of games to end the 2021 season.
However, their six victories over Ireland, which extended the All Blacks undefeated run at Eden Park to 47 in 28 years, greatly satisfied the head coach.
“It’s good to have a good win under your belt, there’s always a little unknown, but (I) mentioned earlier, this series was really big for us,” he said. Told.
“The big picture is that the chances of playing a team that we admire very much have been really good in the last few years and I think it’s pretty special to be here for the third year in a row. . “
The second test at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin begins Saturday at 7:05 pm. The gate opens at 5 pm.
-ODT and Reuters