Denis Hickie: 'Ireland will struggle to overcome All Blacks defeat'

Former Ireland wing Denis Hickie believes that his country will find it hard to get over their late heartbreak against New Zealand.

The All Blacks left it late during a dramatic clash in Dublin on Sunday that saw a last-gasp try and conversion retake give them a 24-22 win in which Johnny Sexton miss a penalty kick in the final five minutes.

"I don't know if the guys can get over this - it's hard to articulate the level of disappointment they will feel," Hickie told BBC Sport. "They had the chance to beat the All Blacks and they didn't take it.

"All credit must go to the All Blacks - a lesser team would have wilted under pressure. Ireland's Jonny Sexton missed a penalty kick that he will never get over."

New Zealand have now won every game in 2013.