All Blacks v Ireland | Nations Championship Match Preview

Tupou Vaa'i selected in the number six jersey for Eden Park clash

Knowing that tough demands will be made of the pack against Ireland and in four Tests against South Africa, coach Dave Rennie has taken his chance to look at bolstering his tight core, with returning lock Patrick Tuipulotu starting against Ireland with Josh Lord, while Tupou Vaa’i has been given another start on the blindside flank. Quinn Tupaea returns at centre.

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Vaai’s selection in that role has seen Anton Segner and Peter Lakai named on the bench. If there is a surprise in the team, it is the start the selectors have given wing Josh Moorby after his impressive debut against Italy off the bench. “I was pleased for him. He’s been excellent all year and for him to come on quite early and play with that sort of confidence was awesome. He’s got a massive engine, massive work rate and is looking forward to his first start.” Moorby gets his chance at Caleb Clarke’s expense, but Rennie said they expect Clarke to give impact off the bench with his explosive play and his high ball play. Rennie added that second five-eighths Jordie Barrett got through Thursday training well after time off earlier in the week due to a niggle. “We’re well aware of the threats and that they’re an excellent side who will have genuine confidence going into the game. We know we need to be better than last week, but we’re prepared well.”

WATCH: Dave Rennie talks through the selections for Ireland Test

Last chance for another Ireland milestone

Ireland coach Andy Farrell said Saturday may be the last chance for some time that his side has a chance to break the All Blacks’ 52-game unbroken sequence of success at Eden Park. “We’re pretty lucky to be back there and have another shot at it. We’re the fortunate ones. We had that fortune in 2022, first game up, and we couldn’t get over the line.” He has been able to call on a full-strength side. Back after injury is wing Robert Baloucoune (hamstring). Flanker Tadhg Beirne starts after playing their first game against Australia off the bench, and then captaining the side last week against Japan. Wing Jimmy O’Brien will play on the left wing, although he can play anywhere in the back four. “It’s been obvious to us that he’s been on top of his game.” O’Brien is one of five players who have started all three Nations Championship games. Centre Stuart McCloskey, No8 Jack Conan, lock James Ryan and prop Tom O’Toole are the others.

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Moorby relishes starting and Tuipulotu pleased to be back

Starting wing Josh Moorby said he may have looked comfortable in his debut last week, when replacing Leroy Carter just before halftime, but he didn’t feel that way. “It was a weird one going on and having a few more minutes than I was expecting. I had to learn pretty quickly, and I was lucky I had great guys around me to help me.” He said it was incredible that Rennie compared him with Will Jordan, one of the All Blacks’ greatest finishers. “It’s great we have such a great pool of players in New Zealand and being able to take parts from each of the outside backs has been part of my development.” Moorby said his time in Europe before returning to New Zealand was a good chance to develop and learn a new style of rugby. “I was able to adapt and I like to think I became a more rounded player.” Patrick Tuipulotu said he had a calf problem during the first week the team was together and was keen to get on top of it and not turn a one-week injury into an eight-week stint out of the game. “Now I’m happy with the body and how it’s feeling. It’s been a good few weeks training under Dave Rens and the new coaching staff. It’s made me work a bit harder and to the speed of the game. That’s a positive for me. We know what Ireland bring. They play quite similar to us. They’re probably searching for an 80-minute performance to be proud of so. I know what I’m expecting from them.”

The teams are:

New Zealand

1.Ethan de Groot (42), 2.Codie Taylor (108), 3.Tyrel Lomax (50), 4.Josh Lord (14), 5.Patrick Tuipulotu (56), 6.Tupou Vaa’i (46), 7.Luke Jacobson (26), 8.Ardie Savea (108 – captain), 9.Cam Roigard (19),  10.Ruben Love (7), 11.Josh Moorby (1), 12.Jordie Barrett (80), 13.Quinn Tupaea (25), 14.Will Jordan (56), 15.Damian McKenzie (76).

Substitutes: 16.Asafo Aumua (21), 17.Xavier Numia (1), 18.Fletcher Newell (36), 19.Anton Segner (1), 20.Peter Lakai (9), 21.Cortez Ratima (23), 22.Anton Lienert-Brown (89), 23.Caleb Clarke (34).

Ireland

1.Tom O’Toole (23), 2.Dan Sheehan (40 - captain), 3. Tadhg Furlong (87), 4.Joe McCarthy (25), 5.James Ryan (82), 6.Tadhg Beirne (72), 7.Josh van der Flier (80), 8.Jack Conan (61), 9.Jamison Gibson-Park (52), 10.Sam Prendergast (16), 11. Jimmy O’Brien (13), 12.Stuart McCloskey (30), 13.Garry Ringrose (75), 14.Robert Baloucoune (8), 15.Hugo Keenan (47).

Substitutes: 16.Ronan Kelleher (50), 17.Jeremy Loughman (9), 18.Thomas Clarkson (15), 19.Nick Timoney (13), 20.Sean Jansen (1), 21.Craig Casey (29), 22.Ciaran Frawley (14), 23.Bundee Aki (71).

The referee is: Nic Berry (Australia).

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