The All Blacks are set to host Ireland at Eden Park in a Nations Championship fixture, with coach Dave Rennie making several changes to the squad. This match presents a significant opportunity for Ireland to potentially end the All Blacks’ extensive unbeaten run at the venue.
Tupou Vaa’i is a notable inclusion, returning to the loose forwards for the upcoming game. His move from lock to the blindside of the scrum marks a change at the No. 6 position. Vaa’i last played in the loose forwards in August.
This shift has also led to a new locking combination, with Patrick Tuipulotu and Josh Lord forming the second row. Tuipulotu had previously been named to play in Christchurch but was withdrawn due to a calf issue, which resulted in Jamie Hannah making his debut from the bench.
Josh Moorby has been elevated from the reserves to the starting XV following his performance against Italy. Additionally, Quinn Tupaea returns to the starting side, replacing Billy Proctor at centre after sitting out the Wellington game. Despite missing some training earlier in the week, Jordie Barrett has been cleared to play at No. 12.
On the bench, Xavier Numia and Fletcher Newell are back to reinforce the front row, while Asafo Aumua returns as the reserve hooker. Peter Lakai also rejoins the squad after not featuring in Wellington, and Caleb Clarke is back in the matchday 23 after starting in Christchurch.
The selections for Eden Park mean that Beauden Barrett, Kyle Preston, and Simon Parker are among the players in the initial 34-man squad who have not yet seen game time during this international window.
Coach Rennie acknowledged the challenge posed by Ireland, stating, “Ireland have been one of the best sides in the world for a number of years now. They are very experienced and well-coached and will have belief on the back of their recent success here. We are well aware of the challenge they pose.”
He added, “We have selected a strong team that allows some of the combinations we have tested to continue building, and rewards players who have impressed over the last two rounds, including some of our recent debutants. We know how important our bench will be against a team as tenacious as Ireland, so have selected players who we know are capable of making an impact and influencing the course of the game.”
The All Blacks’ starting lineup includes Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Josh Lord, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Ardie Savea (c), Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Josh Moorby, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Will Jordan, and Damian McKenzie. Reserves are Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Anton Segner, Peter Lakai, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, and Caleb Clarke.
Ireland’s approach to the Eden Park challenge
Ireland’s captain, Dan Sheehan, has indicated that the team is not primarily focused on ending the All Blacks’ extensive unbeaten streak at Eden Park. He expressed that while achieving such a feat would be special, the team’s main objective is to deliver their best performance of the year.
Sheehan noted the significance of Eden Park as an iconic venue in world rugby and highlighted the excitement among his teammates to play there. He recalled a previous match at the venue in 2022, which did not go Ireland’s way.
The motivation for Andy Farrell’s squad, according to Sheehan, stems from wearing the Irish jersey and representing their supporters. He emphasized that the team is performance-driven and does not require additional motivating factors beyond the pride of representing their country.
Sheehan is once again captaining the side, with regular captain Caelan Doris recovering from a foot injury. Reflecting on Ireland’s performance in the Nations Championship so far, Sheehan acknowledged that performances may not have been at their desired level. However, he sees the upcoming match as a significant opportunity to conclude the season strongly.
He also mentioned the improvements observed throughout the year’s campaigns, hoping for the team’s best showing against New Zealand. Sheehan also spoke about the newer players experiencing New Zealand for the first time, drawing parallels to Ireland’s 2022 tour where they secured their first victory over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil in Dunedin.
The 2022 tour saw Ireland bounce back from an initial defeat at Eden Park to win a Test Series. Sheehan expressed excitement for the current group to potentially create their own history this weekend.
Read Also
Source: nzherald.co.nz
As NewsGB's Senior Football Correspondent, Jack Ferndale reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He covered north-east football for a regional daily. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland and completed an NCTJ diploma. Jack lives in Sunderland, where he watches lower-league football home and away. “The story is in the squad, not just the starting eleven.”
