2009 Lion Stephen Ferris is convinced Ireland can make history by beating New Zealand for the first time this weekend.
A 10-all draw in 1973 is the closest the men from the Emerald Island have come to beating the All Blacks in the 23 games between the countries.
But Ulster and Lions flanker Ferris insists Ireland can make history on the weekend.
"We believe we can play New Zealand week in, week out and beat them," said Ferris.
"That's the spirit of the Irish team. We have proved we are a world class team over the last couple of years.
"We have a few results in the last few months that haven't gone our way. But we just need to hold onto the ball and get our set-piece firing.
"We need to beat somebody like New Zealand to show the world we are capable of mixing it with the best.
"This Ireland team has come a lot further in the past two years.
"We just need to hold onto the ball and get our set-piece firing, then we're a completely different side."
Ireland have struggled for form this autumn and have come in for criticism but Ferris believes there has been an over-reaction to Ireland's recent results.
"I definitely think there has been a lot of negativity. Some of it I don't think is right," added Ferris.
"We were beaten by a couple of points by South Africa, the world champions, and it was difficult game against Samoa.
"We hit the post with a conversion to draw with South Africa and gave away an intercept try. We weren't that far away from beating the world champions.
"If you beat Samoa by 50 points, everybody thinks that you should have beaten them by 60. Personally, I'm feeling great. We've been great as a team over the last couple of years. Everybody has stuck together."
