Ireland v New Zealand - teams and prediction
PREVIEW: Ireland meet New Zealand on Friday at Lansdowne Road in what is a highly anticipated rematch of the 2023 World Cup quarterfinal which crushed Irish dreams of lifting the trophy.
The No.1 ranked Test side in the world have bounced backed from the heartbreaking 24-28 defeat by retaining their Six Nations title and sharing the spoils with South Africa in a two-test series on the World Champions' soil.
The All Blacks finished second in the Rugby Championship, but head into this clash on the back of a narrow 24-22 victory over England at Twickenham this past Saturday.
The old saying of 'revenge is a dish best served cold' might ring true for the Irish supporters and even some players, but it's anything but for head coach Andy Farrell.
The 49-year-old Englishman rubbished suggestions that a red mist would descend over his players' eyes as they sought revenge.
The Ireland matchday outfit features 17 players from that quarterfinal but the All Blacks just 10.
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"It's different," said Farrell.
"Different coaching staff, a few different players, a long time ago, a new start for them.
"That's so much in the distant past for us now."
The fear factor has certainly evaporated for the Irish.
Having waited 111 years to record their first victory over the All Blacks at Soldierfield back in 2016, they currently lead the men in black by 5-4 in the head to heads.
"Yeah it is a real rivalry now," said Farrell.
"Hopefully the way that we've performed or improved since Soldierfield, the respect is a little bit higher from their side for us now."
There's also a shake-up in the captaincy with Caelan Doris leading the Irish.
He's been outstanding since Farrell selected him early on in his tenure as coach and at 26-years-old his reward is to be awarded the captaincy.
The No.8 who is considerably younger than his three predecessors Rory Best, Johnny Sexton and Peter O'Mahony has already donned the captain's armband for Ireland on two occasions against Italy during the 2024 Six Nations and South Africa in the victorious second Test.
Farrell said his lack of ego was a factor in promoting him and has no doubt that Doris can handle the pressure.
“He is unbelievably diligent in getting his own stuff right," said Farrell.
"He's come on leaps and bounds in the last four years in regards to that, he's worked it out.
"He's very comfortable in his own skin."
Aside from O'Mahony who will make his impact off the bench, Doris also had a word with Sexton.
"He's like a sponge," Farrell said of Doris.
"He's not panicking. He's taken it all in his stride and that puts everyone else at ease.
"He's comfortable allowing others to lead at the same time.
"On top of that, he's not in bad form is he?"
The match might come down to who's No.10 is on top of their game this weekend, but both playmakers go into this clash with question marks hanging over them.
Farrell has retained faith in Jack Crowley, who's been the preferred general since Sexton hung up his boots after the quarterfinal defeat to the All Blacks.
His form for Munster, however, has been patchy this term.
"There’s a bit of credit there, isn't there, with Jack [Crowley]," said Farrell.
"Like a few players, not just at Munster but at other provinces where I'm sure form is something they'd like to be pushing a bit further."
Former Ireland fullback Hugo MacNeill says Crowley has performed well, but has yet to convince he can assume Sexton's mantle permanently.
"The most useful service these November Tests can provide is to have an undisputed first-choice flyhalf at the end of it," he told AFP.
The All Blacks reverted to Damain McKenzie who played off the bench against England last week and stepped up to slot the match-winning conversion following Mark Tele'a's late try.
He returns to the No.10 jumper as Beauden Barrett is undergoing a mandatory 12-day stand down period after failing a head injury assessment following the dramatic 24-22 victory over England last Saturday.
McKenzie is a more flamboyant playmaker in comparison to Barrett, but that comes with risks attached.