All Blacks make injury enforced changes ahead of Ireland clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: New Zealand has opted for consistency and made two injury-enforced changes in the starting line-up from last week’s outfit that defeated England at Twickenham.
The All Blacks were dealt severe injury blows following their 24-22 victory over England, with flyhalf Beauden Barrett and hooker Codie Taylor failing their respective head injury assessments.
The starting line-up sees two changes in Damian McKenzie who will don the No.10 shirt in place of Barrett and Asafo Aumua replacing Taylor at hooker.
Both players played off the bench last weekend, with Aumua coming on early in the match to replace Taylor and Mckenzie in the second-half for Barrett, as the Chiefs flyhalf stepped up for the winning conversion kick after Mark Tele’a’s match-levelling try late in the game.
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George Bell comes in as the hooker replacement on the bench with Stephen Perofeta entrusted with the No.23 shirt, with the rest of the team remaining unchanged.
This is the first time these two sides will meet since the 2023 World Cup where New Zealand edged Ireland in the quarterfinals en route to the global showpiece Final.
All Blacks head coach Scott Roberston feels that clash will still be fresh in the minds of those will will be attending the upcoming weekend’s match at Landsdowne Road.
“This is a highly anticipated match that promises to bring all the intensity and passion that we have come to expect from these two rugby-mad nations, both on and off the field.
“We are really pleased with how the squad has come through this week and our focus has turned quickly to this encounter post-England. We have trained well, and the players are fresh and ready to face a fierce challenge from the Ireland team.”
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New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Mark Tele’a, 13 Reiko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Tyral Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cam Roigard, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Stephen Perofeta.
Date: Friday, November 8
Venue: Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Kick-off: 20.10 (9.10 NZDT Satuday, November 9, 20.10 GMT)
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
