Southern hemisphere ‘top dogs’

Ireland’s Tomás O’Leary has conceded that countries from the southern hemisphere are still a cut above European sides.

According to reports on breakingnews.ie, the scrum half admitted New Zealand, South Africa and Australia are on a different level to Ireland and other RBS 6 Nations teams. He added however, that we are catching up.

“The tour gives us good experience of the weather conditions, the opposition and what level we need to step up to within the southern hemisphere because the southern hemisphere teams are ranked ahead of the northern hemisphere sides,” said the 26-year-old.

He continued, “It’s a higher level of opposition. Hopefully we’ll get to see where we’re at and what we need to come up to it.

“I think the divide is becoming smaller but the world rankings say it all. There is a difference and they are still ahead of us at the moment.”

Ireland have never in their history recorded a win against the All Blacks, who they will take on in a one-off Test in New Plymouth this Saturday.

Ireland are currently fifth in the world rankings behind the All Blacks, Springboks, Wallabies and France.