Sean Fitzpatrick, a New Zealand legend, tells Gavin Cummiskeythe secret behind his country's huge success

THE GENERAL and rational opinion floating around these parts is that Ireland are barely clinging to a wing and a prayer this evening.

And here is another reason why.

The great All Black hooker Sean Fitzpatrick was in Dublin yesterday as an ambassador for the New Zealand government, trying to entice businessmen to make lasting connections while following Ireland during next year’s World Cup.

Not only are New Zealand the best collective side in the world right now but, as Fitzpatrick explained, they prepare in similar fashion to a club.

“The Northern Hemisphere are always going to struggle against the Southern Hemisphere because these guys play Test rugby 15, 16 times a year. They are together a week either side of that. That’s 25, 30 weeks a year, so it is basically a club side playing Test rugby so mentally they are stronger.

“Even the guys that aren’t playing are involved in a Test environment. They are getting mentally tough and physically they are training as the game is being played.

“I think the players, individually, have worked really hard on their basic, core skills.

“They are playing the best rugby they have played for years.”

Great news.

Fitzpatrick admitted he hasn’t watched Ireland’s previous two November international, nor was he aware of the starting XV or that Paul OConnell has been injured since March, so any questions from an Irish perspective had to be binned.

This is not a criticism of a great rugby man who finally sees his record 92 caps surpassed tonight by Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina. Unfortunately, Irish rugby will not be afforded much recognition from any Kiwi until they are beaten.

Fitzpatrick, however, did witness New Zealand defeats of England and Scotland, from which he can provide some insight into what is required to steam the black tide.

“I didn’t think the English could maintain the intensity we saw when New Zealand and Australia met in Hong Kong, especially at the breakdown, but England showed they can.

“It was a very defensive game, where they smashed the All Blacks.

“That’s what Ireland must do; commit big numbers to the breakdown.”

New Zealand “belted the hell out of the Scots”, Fitzpatrick continued. “And the Scots couldn’t handle it. It was men against boys. After a couple of turnovers Sonny Bill Williams and other guys had a field day.”

There’s that name again. Sonny Bill is a replacement today but Fitzpatrick believes the potential is limitless for the man who first signed professional rugby league terms as a 15-year-old.

“Any Aussie I have talked to says Sonny Bill would have been the greatest rugby league player ever if he had stayed.

“I am surprised they have thrown him in at the deep end but Graham Henry was trying to work out whether he could do it at that level. There was enough against Scotland to see he can. He was not in his preferred position against England, he is more comfortable at 12.”

Ireland prefer Sonny Bill at 22 but will probably end up regretting that as well.

For more information on the NZ 2011 Business Club see www.nz2011.govt.nz/business.