Preview: New Zealand v Ireland
If Ireland manage to beat the All Blacks in Christchurch on Saturday then it will be a famous victory against all odds.
The visitors were torn apart last week by a world champion side that punished their mistakes mercilessly, and it will take a special effort if Brian O'Driscoll's men are to pose any threat this weekend.
The 42-10 demolition last week was the perfect start for new All Black mentor Steve Hansen, and he has made just one injury-enforced change this week, as he believes the continuity will see his side gather momentum.
The prospect of a more fluent performance from New Zealand will strike fear into Irish hearts, but the quality of their opposition could see them play with more freedom as there will not be any great expectations on their shoulders.
Ireland have been boosted by the return of experienced tighthead prop Mike Ross, and they will be hopeful that he is able to help them build a solid platform from which to put the hosts under some sort of pressure.
Apart from the need for physicality Ireland will know that they also need to be far more accurate, in their kicking and defensive game in particular, if they are to make a game of it against an All Black side that are ruthless when given a sniff.
New Zealand will be full of confidence given their impressive start last week, but there should not be any complacency as although Hansen has kept faith in the same combinations there are plenty of quality players waiting for a chance.
If they are given as much opportunity to dominate the game and unleash their dangerous backline then we could see a running spectacle, but that will have to be built on another commanding set-piece performance.
Ireland have a few proud veterans in their team who would have been stung hard by their capitulation in Auckland, so they should play with passion as they seek to prove that they are not a bunch of pushovers.
One factor which could level matters out somewhat is the wet conditions that are around Christchurch, which could make handling somewhat difficult for the dangerous All Blacks backline.
Players to watch:
For New Zealand: They have match-winners all over the park, but the performance of Dan Carter and captain Richie McCaw is normally a good barometer for how well the All Blacks are playing. If they manage to impose themselves on the game then the players around them will shine.
For Ireland: Skipper Brian O'Driscoll is a great of Irish rugby and will be intent on leaving New Zealanders with a reminder of his ability whilst in the pack fearless flank Sean O'Brien will carry the torch once again, the challenge will be for the rest of the forwards to match his determined attitude.
Head to head: The battle at scrum-time between Irish tighthead Mike Ross and All Black loosehead Tony Woodcock should be immense, whilst at the back of the pack the duel between Jamie Heaslip and Kieran Read should be good. In the backline Gordon D'Arcy gets a chance to prove his detractors wrong up against Sonny Bill Williams at inside centre, and another highlight should be the battle between fullbacks Israel Dagg and Rob Kearney.
Recent results:
2012: New Zealand won 42-10 at Eden Park, Auckland
2010: New Zealand won 38-18 at Lansdowne Road, Dublin
2010: New Zealand won 66-28 at New Plymouth
2008: New Zealand won 22-3 at Croke Park, Dublin
2008: New Zealand won 21-11 at Westpac Trust, Wellington
2006: New Zealand won 27-17 at Eden Park, Auckland
2006: New Zealand won 34-23 at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
2005: New Zealand won 45-7 at Lansdowne Road, Dublin
2002: New Zealand won 40-8 at Eden Park, Auckland
2002: New Zealand won 15-6 at Carisbrook, Dunedin
Prediction: If Ireland get things right then they could be competitive, but the All Blacks simply have too much quality so we are backing them to win by at least 25 points.
Teams:
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Zac Guildford, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Hikawera Elliot, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Ben Smith.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Dan Tuohy, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Declan Fitzpatrick, 18 Donncha O'Callaghan, 19 Peter O'Mahony, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Ronan O'Gara, 22 Simon Zebo.
Date: Saturday, June 16
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Expected weather: Overcast with a few showers, high of 9 low of -2
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Pascal Gauzere (France)
TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)
By Michael de Vries
