'As Irish people, we can lack confidence' - Keith Earls

Only three of the Ireland squad have faced down the haka more than Keith Earls and the Munster winger is confident he can win his fitness battle ahead of Saturday's World Cup showdown with New Zealand (8pm).

Johnny Sexton (17), Conor Murray (14), Tadhg Furlong (11) with Ireland and the Lions, are the two others in the current panel that have more experience against the All Blacks, with all four men's careers spanning pre and post-Chicago, the venue for Ireland's first ever victory over New Zealand in 2016.

Earls' first view of the ceremonial Maori war dance up close came on his second cap, in Croke Park back in 2008.

"I think the first time was maybe 2008 in Croke Park, I think it was my second cap. It was a surreal experience, I had grown up watching them," said Earls, who turned 36 at the start of October, and has played nine times against New Zealand in his career.

"They have conquered the world of rugby since I was a young lad, and I think it was only up until last year that we didn't really understand what the haka meant.

"It can come across as quite intimidating but speaking to [former Munster centre] Rua Tipoki down in New Zealand last year, he let us know the inside of a haka and what it means, and how we can draw from our ancestors and our family as well.

"It’s not meant to intimidate, it’s a tradition of theirs and we have to look at it, it’s how they are looking at it as well, we are going into war as well as a battle. We draw on our families and stuff from that as well."

He missed the game in Soldier Field through suspension after getting sent off during a Munster match but was on the wing when Ireland, then under Joe Schmidt, claimed their first win over New Zealand on Irish soil in 2018.

Asked if that win had