Crotty out, Sonny Bill on bench for NZ against Ireland
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sonny Bill Williams was named on the bench and fellow centre Ryan Crotty missed out altogether as New Zealand named their team for Saturday’s World Cup quarterfinal against Ireland.
In-form Anton Lienert-Brown and Jack Goodhue got the nod for the defending champions in midfield, with Beauden Barrett starting at fullback and George Bridge and Sevu Reece completing the back three.
Richie Mo’unga is named at flyhalf alongside regular scrumhalf Aaron Smith.
Kieran Read captains the side from No.8, where he lines up with Sam Cane and Ardie Savea. Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock pack down in the boiler house, with Joe Moody and Nepo Laulala propping up Codie Taylor.
“There’s a lot of energy and excitement in the team which is normal for this stage of the tournament where the winner takes all. It will add extra pressure to both sides,” said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.
“We feel we’ve selected a great mixture of talent in our 23, who are in great form, and the squad includes many players who have a lot of Rugby World Cup knockout match experience.”
He added: “We are very happy where the team is at at this stage and it feels like the team is right where it needs to be for what will be a physical and fiercely-fought encounter.”
👀 ICYMI | The All Blacks team to face @IrishRugby has been named!
READ MORE ➡️ https://t.co/lCVED6DpHO#BACKBLACK pic.twitter.com/PEW6NevZEo
ADVERTISEMENT— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 17, 2019
New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Ardie Savea, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Cody Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Matt Todd, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Sonny Bill Williams, 23 Jordie Barrett.
Date: Saturday, October 19
Venue: Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo
Kick-off: 19.15 (10.15 GMT; 11.15 UK & Ireland time; 23.15 NZ time)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Pascal Gaüzère (France), Angus Gardner (Australia)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
Related articles:
All Blacks still have their ‘edge’
Dismissive Kiwis already eyeing England
🔥 Here it is! The 23 All Blacks to take on Ireland.
FULL STORY 👉🏽 https://t.co/lCVED6lOje#BACKBLACK pic.twitter.com/LoIRN7fTSx
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 17, 2019
