Only a last-gasp Dan Carter drop goal denied Ireland a deserved draw in Christchurch and the performance represented a stark improvement from their 42-10 drubbing in the first Test.

While Hansen, in the immediate aftermath of the series-clinching victory, claimed that will be as close as the Irish will get to the All Blacks, O’Gara – who came on as a second-half replacement for Gordon D’Arcy – did not rise to the bait.

“A lot of that, you can read into it after an event. You could say that it is condescending but I don't think it was meant like that,” O'Gara said.

“We all speak with emotions sometimes and that was what Steve felt at the time. I would have no problem with that.

“Ireland did play well the other night. The All Blacks were probably in second gear and they had every reason to be in second gear because of the way we played at Eden Park. It is only natural.

“Steve was probably relieved to get over the finish line as you could see an edge to them. “When Dan Carter kicked the drop goal, you don't often see that with the All Blacks, so you could see what it meant to them.

“Fair play to them. They squeezed out a winning position from, probably, an un-winnable position with a man in the bin. That is what they deserve all the credit for.”