ON THE back of a result, as opposed to a performance, Ireland face New Zealand, a team they have never beaten, with their usual mantra reversed.

From strong performances the Irish team expects results. But a result without the performance and drawing optimism from the crumbs of a Samoan scoreline could appear to be like the emperor with no clothes.

Yesterday Luke Fitzgerald and Les Kiss sparred a little but disarmingly relied on the hope that things would turn. Maybe what we do not understand this week is the power that self-belief can bring. It is never their job to be harbingers of doom in the run-in to a game against the best team in the world. But both coach and fullback concede while Ireland continue to travel it has not yet reached its destination. To get there takes unwavering confidence in the path.

“We’re not happy with certain things that we need in place. But there is some good industry,” said the Irish defence coach Kiss. “Personally it’s not where we’d like it to be, but we’re going in the right direction. We’re going into a Test against the All Blacks who have every right to feel as confident as they are and they feel like they are going to win this game and score a lot of points.”

The former Australian rugby league player has done his homework on the All Blacks. However, in the light of Ireland trying to put together a game construct that can upset their play in certain areas, it is disconcerting to hear that the tourists’ main threat to Ireland is in the unstructured part of their game.

While every Irish player expects All Black captain Richie McCaw to be even closer than in their face at the breakdown, tarot cards and sheep’s entrails maybe required to know who it is will break from the 15th recycle. Suffocation by Ireland through any means might be the best ploy on Saturday.

“If you look at the profile of their game, where they score most of their points, in the Tri-Nations 73 or 74 per cent of their tries came from unstructured play,” said Kiss.

“So, you need to play the game at a pace that doesn’t suit them. If you kick long and give them quick throw-ins, you invite a new set of issues. If you turn over the ball easily, you present them with the platforms that they like to launch from.

“You have to be pragmatic in what you try to do to actually take away the opportunities that they need to run. We need to get those stress points from where they love to hurt us from. They love a loose game, they can play from set-piece for sure, but it’s around 72 per cent – from memory – that they scored from quick taps, quick throws and unstructured play. That part of their play is unbelievable.”

The one place the Irish team has now arrived at is the lounge with departures over one door, arrivals the other, where player concern is as much about having played themselves out of selection as into the team. But it’s had little hazardous effect on the lively Irish fullback. Fitzgerald takes one previous game against the All Blacks to Aviva so he remains unscarred by the threat of reopened wounds.

“I’m not bringing too much baggage myself, I don’t really think about the record that much,” he said defiantly.

“It’s a chance to change the record books a little bit. It’s always going to be a little bit skewed.

“I was happy enough with my own performance at the weekend, I got pretty limited opportunities. I still think I can improve. I don’t think there were too many standout candidates on the pitch that day (against Samoa) for either team.”

Where that accurately leaves Ireland is difficult to call.

While the Irish default mechanism is to accentuate what has gone well, others look at the lapses.

Prop Cian Healy has a dead leg and Rob Kearney is “coming on nicely” from a bruised kneecap, while Keith Earls, released by Kidney, will play for Munster today. Geordan Murphy has also flown in from Leicester as fullback and wing cover.

Surely there is some trepidation about, albeit a proud and talented Ireland, being exposed. “Listen, I can only talk from a personal perspective,” said Fitzgerald. “I feel very confident. Within the squad I think everyone is very confident. Players are being a little bit, how would I say it? A little bit over anxious.”

Kidney will pick his strongest side. This week Ireland may see where they are exposed and what is adequately covered.