Rugby: Les Kiss believes the service provided to scrumhalf Conor Murray was a key factor in Ireland's narrow 22-19 defeat to New Zealand last weekend.

The tussle between Murray and opposite number Aaron Smith lit up last week's second Test, with both scoring tries before the All Blacks won the game with a late Dan Carter drop goal.

"Conor, in the previous game, was on the back end of a quality of ball that was just not good enough," said Kiss. "Our breakdown work wasn't poor but it wasn't consistently effective. Our ball carrying and the service we gave, not just to Conor, was not as good as we would have liked. We got a bit better at the weekend."

Kiss added that the Munster player is constantly trying to improve his game and that he added to it in Christchurch.

"Conor is a fantastic sponge who always wants to improve his game. What we saw at the weekend was just another layer. Was it a defining game for him? No. Every game is a defining moment but I think he found another part to his game and that will serve him going forward. I think the big challenge is to make this next game, this next opportunity, something that builds on that."

The final Test in Hamilton on Saturday is shaping up to, once again, be a battle of attrition and Kiss feels the squad has benefited from the 'inspiring' surroundings of Queenstown, where Ireland are based for five days. They will be without Gordon D'Arcy, who shored up the midfield area in the second Test but has returned home with a calf injury. But Kiss played down the veteran Leinster centre's absence.

"I wouldn't say it was anything to do with personnel and that is not taking anything away from Gordon. I think he has been brilliant for us,” said Kiss. "The truth is that the All Blacks are a fantastic team and the way that they open up space for their backs and their loosies (back row) is a hallmark of their game. They just couldn't get that purchase in the game the way they would have liked.

"The likes of Aaron Smith, Conrad (Smith) and Sonny Bill Williams, they couldn't quite get the game they would have liked but they just kept coming, that's for sure."

A stirring Test got the Christchurch crowd fired up, which Kiss felt was testament to his team's efforts.

He said: "We are in the coaches' box and you can't hear it all the time but when you opened the door and heard the noise, the fans were chanting 'All Blacks, All Blacks'. I haven't heard that for a long time. They played well but they couldn't break us. It was fantastic, what the boys did, but unfortunately you want to win and that is the taste that is left in your mouth."