Rory Best glad to be back at Eden Park – Rugby News Update
Rory Best, the 29-year-old Ulster and Ireland hooker is looking forward to the first test against New Zealand at Eden Park, on Saturday, June 9.
Ireland play the current World Champions, the All Blacks, in a three-match test series, with the first match taking place at Eden Park, where the home team has not lost since 1994. However, the Irish have fond memories of the ground, as they defeated Australia
on their last visit to the stadium, during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
"We have fond memories of (that game) nine months ago," said Best. "We are well aware that it was a different tournament, a long time ago and a different team. The only thing that has stayed the same is the venue and even that has changed a bit."
Ireland has not beaten New Zealand in 24 matches, and the side is still looking to break that jinx. Best however, feels that Ireland has the squad to cause an upset and emerge victorious in the series.
"We are closing the gap and we want it closed," Best said. "It is a strange one from an Irish point of view as they are the only top-tier team we haven't beaten. We see ourselves as a very good team.”
He also added that he believes the squad has the ability and if he did not believe that Ireland could win, then they would not take to the field.
Best further spoke about the Australian game, saying that at the time it was being billed as a huge upset but he thinks that Ireland has the ability to do so on a regular basis. Having positive memories associated with the ground will be a good omen for
the visiting team.
Best played for the Ireland U-21 team at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, and the following season he made his debut for Ulster. His impressive performances for the club earned him his debut against the All Blacks at Lansdowne Road, on November 12, 2005. So far
he has represented Ireland 59 times, starting 39 of those games and coming on as a substitute a further 20 times.
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