Best downplays 'favourite' tag

Rory Best has laughed off claims that Ireland are favourites to win Saturday's Test match against New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium

Ireland ended an 111-year wait for a first win over the All Blacks with a 40-29 victory in Chicago on 5 November, but Best expects a furious response from the world champions in Dublin.

"Two weeks ago we became the first Irish team to beat the All Blacks but that happened because we put in a performance that we were happy with and performance that we can build on," the 34-year-old Ireland captain said on Friday.

"I don't think anything changes for us. We know they are the best team in the world and the reason they won 18 in a row up until two weeks ago is because they are a fantastic outfit.

"For us, we know that it is going to take a performance better than we delivered in Chicago and up there with some of the best performances that we have ever delivered in an Ireland shirt.

"That's the reality of playing the best team in the world and back-to-back world champions."

All Blacks' head coach Steve Hansen says New Zealand will be the underdogs at Lansdowne Road, but Best played down the 57-year-old's pre-match words and insisted that his side do not feel under any extra pressure following the historic win at Soldier Field.

"That tag is something for the media, for press conferences," the Ulster hooker continued.

"They are the No 1 team in the world for a reason. There won't be any talk about favourites or underdogs in the changing room before the game.

"It's about knowing we will really have to perform in order to beat a very, very good All Blacks team."

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