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Published 12:29 27 Jun 2022 BST
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Joe Schmidt pictured at the Aviva Stadium in November 2018, before he led Ireland to victory over New Zealand. (Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile)[/caption]
"We're just below that [top table] at the moment but I'm confident in this team and coaching staff that we can go to that level."Ireland ended that 2021 Six Nations with three wins on the bounce, had a winning summer against USA and Japan, won three more [including a third ever Test win over New Zealand] in November and entered the 2022 tournament with high hopes. An away loss to France ended their Grand Slam ambitions but they rebounded well to push Les Bleus all the way before they lifted their first Six Nations trophy in over a decade. Ireland at least got a Triple Crown for their efforts - something tangible to show for the guts of three years changing how things are done under Andy Farrell. After they beat Scotland to wrap up that Triple Crown, Sexton was taking aim at the doubters. [caption id="attachment_252217" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Ireland captain Jonathan Sexton and head coach Andy Farrell. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile)[/caption]
"It's a very tight bunch," he added. "We have come from some low times. It’s only a few years ago we were being written off. "The coach was being written off, the captain was being written off, and the team was being written off. It’s pretty fickle, sport, isn’t it? So we will keep our feet grounded because we know how fickle it is."As Johnny Sexton should know, by now, you take your victories and score your points when you can. Later that day, France would see off England to win the Six Nations, leaving Ireland in second spot again. They may feel they are going places, but most of us know this New Zealand tour and next year's World Cup will be what this iteration of Ireland will be judged on. With a hugely talented New Zealand not as daunting as they once were, Covid disrupting their First Test preparation and the Irish players better rested after missing out on the United Rugby Championship Grand Final, it is a golden opportunity to strike a big blow against the All Blacks. Ireland have already gained the respect of New Zealand. Three wins in their last five Test meetings will do that. Now is the time to make some more history by beating the All Blacks, Joe Schmidt included, on their doorstep.
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