Full-back Hugo Keenan says Ireland are not looking at Friday’s Test with New Zealand in Dublin as a “revenge game”.
Ireland’s opening autumn international is the first time the sides have met since the All Blacks knocked coach Andy Farrell’s side out of the World Cup in 2023.
Keenan admits he is “still hurting” from that quarter-final exit, but enough time has passed for a fresh outlook.
“A lot of things have changed since then, through playing squads and coaching staff even,” said Keenan, 28.
“It’s a not a new cycle, but I don’t think we’re looking at it as a revenge game.”
The game against the All Blacks opens Ireland’s autumn series before fixtures with Argentina, Fiji and Australia in Dublin.
Leinster’s Keenan concedes their World Cup exit in Paris was a “hugely disappointing loss” but reiterated that facing New Zealand is enough to focus the mind.
“It’s a game against one of the best nations in the world, historically the best team in the world,” he said.
“We have to view it as a fresh series, back at home and the excitement of playing four brilliant sides.”
