O'Driscoll laments late mistakes

Disappointed Ireland skipper praises New Zealand's resolution

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll lamented his side's inability to take the game to New Zealand for the full 80 minutes after losing the first Test 34-23 in Hamilton.

Ireland, stung by an All Blacks try in the first minute, responded superbly and had home fans worried that 101 years without defeat by the Irish was coming to an end.

They opened up a 16-8 half-time lead and defended tenaciously as the All Blacks increased the pressure but the effort took its toll and the Irish wilted in the last 10 minutes.

The All Blacks, even under pressure, were not afraid to make substitutions to keep fresh legs in the battle, while Ireland were more reluctant to make changes.

It was one of New Zealand's changes, replacement lock Troy Flavell for new cap Greg Rawlinson, who scored the match-winning try eight minutes from the end of the game.

"They definitely showed their class when it was put to them," O'Driscoll said of the All Blacks' effort.

 "We have got to play for the full 80 minutes - we missed a couple of first-up tackles," said the captain of the 2005 Lions.

"But with 20 minutes to go I felt we could push home all the way.

"When we perform as a team and play well, we can compete against any team in the world.

"But it's very disappointing that we fought so hard for so long and then gave away some silly points in the last 10 minutes.

"We missed some first-up tackles and coughed up some ball. You can't expect to beat New Zealand if you do that. It's a disappointed dressing room."

But O'Driscoll, who scored his 28th try for Ireland, praised New Zealand's "resolution, skill and passion" but is confident that his side can build on its performance.

"We pushed them close this week and we will go close next week," he said, looking ahead to next week's second Test in Auckland.