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Best reveals Ireland's blueprint for beating the All Blacks
By Iain Strachan
The courage required to attack and score regularly will be crucial if the British and Irish Lions are to have a chance of beating New Zealand, according to hooker Rory Best.
Best was part of the Ireland team that stunned the All Blacks 40-29 in Chicago in November, defeating the southern-hemisphere powerhouses for the first time and halting the world champions' record-breaking run of 18 consecutive tier-one victories.
The Lions face a daunting task next month when they go up against Steve Hansen's all-conquering side, something 34-year-old Ulster player Best is well aware of.
"They are world champions, the number one team in the world for a reason," he said.
"To beat them as a national team was difficult, but to come together as four nations is a huge challenge."
Of Ireland's experience, he said: "The big thing [we showed] is that they are beatable.
"When they pull on the shirt they have an aura that they are very difficult to beat.
"Gats [Lions coach Warren Gatland] said from the start he didn't want anyone going on tour who didn't think we could win.
"Anything we can share from that game we will but this is a different scenario."
Pure determination!
We've really enjoyed our first week in camp...here's to next week. #AllForOne #LionsNZ2017 pic.twitter.com/Eq4aGETTB6
— British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) May 18, 2017
Best claimed it was Ireland's willingness to go on the offensive and take risks that enabled them to register the huge upset at Soldier Field last year.
"We just had a belief we could win," he said.
"Preparation was short, we had one Thursday together, three training sessions, but we had the mentality to go out and attack. It was all about attack.
"This New Zealand side is really hard to beat, they have so many weapons and if you don't score against them it is very hard to beat them. Whatever way you do it, you have to put a team under pressure.
"The big thing we had in Chicago was that everyone bought into it. That's what we've had this week. It is also important that everyone adds a little bit to it as well."
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