Lock Joe McCarthy says Ireland will not be making “any excuses” for rustiness against the All Blacks on Friday night.
Andy Farrell’s side have not taken the field since their drawn series with South Africa in July.
Their opponents this weekend, however, have played nine Tests in that time, most recently a dramatic win over England on Saturday.
“It’s an interesting one whether it’s better to be battle-hardened going into a game or be fresh,” said Leinster second-row McCarthy.
“A lot of our guys have played a lot of games in the URC [United Rugby Championship], which is quite competitive.
“We pride ourselves as a group on being able to come together as fast as possible.
“Even if it’s the first game up, we don’t ease ourselves into it. We expect to hit the ground running. We don’t have any excuse for not being cohesive because it’s our first game.”
Ireland have been readying themselves for their four-game autumn schedule with warm weather training in Portugal, with McCarthy noting the physicality of forwards coach Paul O’Connell’s sessions in particular have been ideal preparation for what is to come this month.
“It’s great to be over in Portugal,” he added.
“We have put in some seriously good sessions, they have been tasty enough.
“The sessions we have had here prepare you super well for a game. Paulie’s maul sessions and the attack on top of that usually gets you fairly well ready.”