Irish ascend to new heights

But 'No 1' talk swerved after All Blacks coup

DUBLIN - New Zealand coach Steve Hansen's claim that Ireland is now No 1 in the world and favorite for the World Cup has been dismissed as "banter" by the Six Nations champion's boss Joe Schmidt.

Hansen - who will seek to retain the World Cup title with New Zealand in Japan next year - made that assessment after the Irish beat his side 16-9 on Saturday in Dublin for their first home win over the All Blacks.