Ireland v New Zealand: Jonny Sexton, Brian O'Driscoll and Rob Kearney fit for All Blacks showdown No one was dismissing the enormity of the task, especially after Ireland's dreadful display last week against a Wallaby side who had only just sobered up from their midweek misdemeanours in Dublin hostelries. That limp 32-15 defeat, with Australia outscoring Ireland by four tries to nil, has had a profound impact. Ireland, who have made three changes, have looked inward to ensure that they avoid any repeat of either that or, more heinously still, the 60-0 showing the last time they met New Zealand in Hamilton 17 months ago. "Life does not keep giving you chances and we know we will have to fight for everything," said Leinster centre Gordon D'Arcy, who has replaced Luke Marshall. The spirit is replicated by his provincial team-mate, Lions back-row forward Sean O'Brien, who couched his approach pithily: "We have to bring a bit of madness to it," said O'Brien, such a force field of activity himself as he showed in the third Lions Test against Australia. If you can bring emotion and loads of energy then you can be right up there against any team. Ireland are capable of raising the rafters, as they did seven days prior to that shellacking in Hamilton when it took a late Dan Carter drop-goal to see the All Blacks home, 22-19. Ireland are aware, though, that the resort to old-fashioned get-up-and-at-"em virtues will only take them so far. There needs to be exemplary technical input to the cause, and the trio who came through yesterday's fitness tests all know how to find that balance between head and heart. Sexton looked as if would miss out after leaving the field in great discomfort against Australia. Joe Schmidt, Ireland's New Zealand-born head-coach, admitted that it is "always a risk" having a player obliged to pass a late test to play. Sexton is feeling the rigours of his French assignation, having played 13 games in 12 weeks for Racing Metro prior to joining up with Ireland. If he survives 80 minutes tomorrow it will be a surprise. Schmidt admitted that it had been a "disruptive" week with the injury concerns and conceded that Ireland had to spend time on shoring up their porous defence. "We have had to work hard defensively because there are even more threats in New Zealand's repertoire than in Australia's," said Schmidt, who dismissed any suggestions that he might have split loyalties as he faces the land of his birth for the first time. Schmidt has restored scrum-half Conor Murray to the starting berth and drafted Dave Kearney on the wing for the injured Fergus McFadden. O'Driscoll equals Ronan O'Gara's record of 128 caps. Further up the road towards Dublin, New Zealand were finishing off their preparations. Such is their strength in depth they can make seven changes to the side who had to battle for their 30-22 over England last weekend, only two of them injury-enforced. Aaron Cruden replaces Dan Carter with Wyatt Crockett stepping in for Tony Woodcock. Andrew Hore is at hooker, Luke Romano in the second row with the highly regarded Steven Luatua coming in for Liam Messam on the blindside. Cory Jane is on the wing. Ireland have no doubt what it will take to beat New Zealand for the first time ever. "We have the talent but it is all about producing on the big day," said O'Connell.