Preview - New Zealand v Ireland
History in the making
Regardless of the outcome of the match, a new chapter in New Zealand's rugby history will be written when they play Ireland at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday.
The All Blacks haven't lost a match at home for three years and if they beat Ireland they will set a new record of 17 consecutive home wins. And if Ireland win it will be the first time that an All Black team has lost to the Irish.
These are the kind of trivialities that statisticians and the media like to toss around.
But for New Zealand coach Graham Henry and his Irish counterpart Eddie O'Sullivan there are far more important issues to confront.
For most coaches this year and next year is all about taking small, calculated steps towards Rugby World Cup glory in France in 2007.
Henry has been meticulous in his planning towards the RWC. He has expanded his squad to 40-odd players and split them in two – one set of players to take on the Irish in a two-Test series and another group that will travel to Argentina later this month to face the Pumas.
Saturday's showdown with the men from the Emerald Isle is the first tough exam for this two-pronged plan.
How will this experimental-looking team of All Blacks cope with the feisty Irish in Hamilton?
There are many pundits who feel it is a huge gamble to blood five new players against the Six Nations Triple Crown winners.
The last time New Zealand faced Ireland on the rugby field was in November, at a partly closed Lansdowne Road in Dublin. The result was a resounding 43-7 victory for the Kiwis.
But there are a few fundamental differences between this Irish squad and that which put up only token resistance last year.
The current Ireland pack is dominated by the Munster forwards, who won the European Cup last month.
Captain Brian O'Driscoll and lock Paul O'Connell also did not play in Dublin in November.
Their experience, outstanding individual skills and burning desire to put the memory of last year's British and Irish Lions tour behind them could be enough to inspire Ireland to that elusive first victory over New Zealand.
"We've never beaten the All Blacks in the history of Irish rugby so it's the kind of Everest we're all trying to climb at the end of the day, and if we could do it away from home it would be even sweeter," Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan told reporters in New Zealand.
"We know if we get things right on Saturday I think we'll go very close but if we don't we'll get a spanking for our troubles like we did in November."
Henry, much like he is doing now, chose to rotate his players on the year-end tour in November – a tactic that brought him the coveted Grand Slam, victory over all four Home Unions.
Players to watch:
For the All Blacks: The spotlight will certainly fall on loosehead prop Clarke Dermody and South African-born lock Greg Rawlinson, who will both be making their debuts in Hamilton. Three other players, flank Jerome Kaino, fly-half David Hill and wing Scott Hamilton could make their debuts off the bench. Much has also been made of Henry naming two specialist openside flanks, with new captain Richie McCaw partnering Marty Holah on the side of the scrum. It is likely they will play as left and right flanks, rather than one taking on the fulltime fetcher's role. Ma'a Nonu has also been given the first opportunity to stake his claim for the vacant centre's jersey, following the retirement of former captain Tana Umaga.
For Ireland: You can always look to Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll to provide some spark and class, and he will always be a key component of this side. Geordan Murphy is always a danger from fullback, while wing Shane Horgan can also be a handful. In the line-outs, Paul O'Connell and Donncha O'Callaghan are both very near to the top of the world tree.
Head to head: There are so many individual clashes that could be termed 'vital', but none are more mouthwatering than Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand) against Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland) in the midfield. Two powerful yet highly skilled centres who are entertainers of the highest order. Expect there to be a few big hits and some powerful running, but most of all, wait for those moments of sublime skill when either of them glide past the opposing defenders with consummate ease. In Byron Kelleher (New Zealand) and Peter Stringer (Ireland) the game will have two bantams that will not give and inch. In the pack, the most intriguing battle could be between newcomer Greg Rawlinson (New Zealand) and veteran Paul O'Connell (Ireland) at lock.
Prediction: The bookmakers are all giving the Irish a 20-point start. That is generous. It suggests they have absolutely no chance. With such generous odds it is worth a flutter on the Irish. The Kiwis are fielding an experimental side and if ever there was a chance of an upset for the Irish then this is it. Yes, this is a solid looking All Black team. But if the Irish are on top of their game and play with a high level of unity and cohesion, they could blunt several of the All Blacks' attacking weapons. That said, we feel New Zealand will win, but not by as much as the bookies think. The All Blacks by 10 points or less.
Recent Results:
2005: New Zealand won 45-7, Dublin
2002: New Zealand won 40-8, Auckland
2002: New Zealand won 15-6, Dunedin
2001: New Zealand won 40-29, Dublin
1997: New Zealand won 63-15, Dublin
1995: New Zealand won 43-19, Johannesburg (RWC)
1992: New Zealand won 59-6, Wellington
1992: New Zealand won 24-21, Dunedin
1989: New Zealand won 23-6, Dublin
1978: New Zealand won 10-6, Dublin
The teams:
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Ma'a Nonu, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Luke McAlister, 9 Byron Kelleher, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Marty Holah, 5 Greg Rawlinson, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Clarke Dermody.
Replacements: 16 Anton Oliver, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Troy Flavell, 19 Jerome Kaino, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 David Hill, 22 Scott Hamilton.
Ireland: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Denis Leamy, 7 David Wallace, 6 Neil Best, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Jerry Flannery, 1 Marcus Horan.
Replacements: 16 Rory Best, 17 Bryan Young, 18 Mick O'Driscoll, 19 Keith Gleeson, 20 Isaac Boss, 21 Denis Hickie, 22 Girvan Dempsey.
Date: Saturday, 10 June
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Conditions: Few showers. Southwest winds. Max: 15°C; Min: 5°C
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Touch judges: Matt Goddard (Australia), George Ayoub (Australia)
Television match official: Brett Bowden (Australia)
Assessor: Stuart Beissel (New Zealand)
