Bowe: Let's take game to All Blacks

Tommy Bowe has urged Joe Schmidt's Ireland to write their names in the Lansdowne Road history books by defeating New Zealand for the first time.

The All Blacks have won all but one of the 27 meetings between the nations - the exception a 10-10 draw in Dublin in 1973 - and are overwhelming favourites to claim Ireland as their 14th victim of the year.

Sunday's clash at the Aviva Stadium concludes this autumn's Guinness Series and Schmidt's side are determined to atone for their 32-15 defeat by Australia last weekend.

"We know what a great opportunity we have in front of us. When you get that, it's a great chance to make history," Bowe said.

"To beat the All Blacks this weekend, we know we'll have to take the game to them, finish those chances that we create.

"For us not to score a try against Australia, we're very disappointed with that. With the players we've got, we know we can score tries."

Brian O'Driscoll and Jonathan Sexton missed training on Wednesday but Ireland remain hopeful they will be passed fit to face New Zealand.

O'Driscoll and Sexton are struggling with respective calf and hamstring problems and are rated doubtful for Sunday's Dublin showdown.

However, there was more promising news over the availability of full-back Rob Kearney, who was able to train on Wednesday as he continues his rehabilitation from a rib problem.