Ireland coach Declan Kidney insisted "we still have a lot to do" despite an improved display in the loss to New Zealand.
New Zealand coach Graham Henry pays tribute to McCaw, Muliaina
Ireland coach Declan Kidney insisted "we still have a lot to do" despite seeing his side turn in an improved display against New Zealand.
The All Blacks kept themselves on course for a European grand slam with a 38-18 victory over their hosts at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
However the final scoreline did not do justice to how well Ireland played, particularly after struggling against South Africa and Samoa this autumn.
Stephen Ferris and Brian O'Driscoll both grabbed tries but Kidney insisted that the result - and not the performance - was all that really mattered.
Disappointed
"We judge ourselves on results so we're extremely disappointed that we lost to 20 points," he said.
"We got a brilliant crowd and a dry day, the last two games have been in the rain and we had to learn how to play those conditions.
"There were things that happened today that were in our own control to fix and we need to do that so that we don't lose by 20 points again.
"We need to hang on to the ball a bit better. I wouldn't argue with their finishing being the difference.
"We know that we're getting better but we still have a lot to do."
Number eight Jamie Heaslip agreed with Kidney, admitting that the home team had been their own worst enemy at times.
"It was frustrating at times. We made some mistakes in a 15-minute period when they showed how efficient they are," he said.
"We created a lot of chances and put them under pressure. We were our own worst enemy at times. The scoreline doesn't reflect the game.
"If we want to win the World Cup then we have got to beat them and we do that by worrying about ourselves more than them."
New Zealand boss Graham Henry, who has now won 100 Tests in his coaching career, admitted he had a lot of respect for Ireland.
Respect
"That was a highly competitive game, both sides played well. The Irish put a lot of pressure on us and played exceptionally well," he said.
"I was pleased with the way our guys responded to that
"We have a lot of respect for Ireland. It's always a difficult game and they took us on, opening us up in a number of occasions.
"A year ago we thought they were real comers and we were concerned by the progress they were making.
"They have some very good players and can build on this performance."
The match saw a special milestone for two New Zealand players - Skipper Richie McCaw and full-back Mils Muliaina became the most capped All Blacks after both men played in their 93rd Test.
"That record speaks for itself. The passion and desire you see from the players comes from him," Henry added.
McCaw added: "We expected a tough game today. Both teams had a couple of Tests, were in the groove and came to play."
