NZ changes a 'quest for perfection'
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has overhauled his starting line-up to ensure fresh legs as the world champion All Blacks look to complete a perfect season against Ireland on Sunday.
Hansen made seven changes to the run-on team that defeated England 30-22 last weekend, concerned that fatigue at the end of a gruelling season could derail the quest to complete 14 wins from 14 Tests
The line-up boasts 798 Test caps experience and an average age of 26.
"It's a reflection of the physical nature of the whole year really, particularly the last nine weeks. We've gone around the world twice – this will be our seventh Test in nine weeks," he said.
Hansen was forced to make two changes for the Lansdowne Road clash, with star flyhalf Dan Carter and prop Tony Woodcock out injured, but said he decided on a more extensive revamp to give some players a break.
"It's just an accumulation of a lot of travel and game time," he said. "We've got the ability sitting there that is fresh so why not use them?"
No international team in the professional era has enjoyed a perfect calendar year – with South Africa's 1995 World Cup winning side, captain by Francois Pienaar, the last to achieve this with a perfect 10 from 10.
The New Zealand team led by Wayne Shelford, that won all seven of their Tests in 1989, was the last group of All Blacks to achieve the feat when Rugby Union was still an amateur sport.
However, New Zealand themselves came close to it again when they won 11 games and drew one under John Hart in 1997.
In his bid to create history, Hansen named Aaron Cruden to replace Carter and also gave scrumhalf TJ Perenara a chance to make his Test debut from the bench.
Elsewhere in the backline, wing Cory James comes in for Charles Piutau.
In Woodcock's absence, Hansen drafted in a completely new front row comprising Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, and Andrew Hore, who is expected to retire from international rugby after what will be his 83rd Test.
Steven Luatua replaces Liam Messam as blindside flank and lock Luke Romano steps in for Brodie Retallick.
Ireland have not beaten the All Blacks in 27 attempts dating back to 1905, with their best result against the New Zealanders a 10-10 draw in 1973.
The most recent meeting was a 60-0 drubbing in Hamilton in June last year.
Such is the confidence among New Zealand's sporting public that the media is already debating whether a perfect season will make the current All Blacks the best in history.
"This Test against the Irish is another great opportunity for the team to put in a performance we can all be proud of," Hansen said.
"Though we have won the last two Tests on the European tour [against France and England], we would like to see an improvement on those two performances.
"We love playing in Ireland and have a lot of respect for the Irish.
"We well remember the second Test against them in Christchurch last year [when the All Blacks just won 22-19] and we know that if our minds aren't totally on the job in our preparation this week and in the game on Sunday, then we will suffer."
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Ben Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Owen Franks, 19 Brodie Retallick, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Ryan Crotty.
Date: Sunday, November 24
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 14.00 (14.00 GMT; 03.00, Monday, November 25 NZ time)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Jérôme Garcès (France), Greg Garner (England)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
