New Zealand v Ireland - Teams and Prediction
FIRST TEST PREVIEW: The All Blacks open their 2022 Test campaign with a clash against an Irish team who has developed into one of the fiercest rivals of the men in black over the past decade.
The two teams will face each other this Saturday at Eden Park in Auckland.
Ireland go into the weekend’s clash with a record of three wins and two losses against the All Blacks in their last five encounters, having only recorded their first-ever victory over them in Chicago in 2016.
The victory was certainly the start of the All Blacks' superiority fading. Former Ireland No.10 Ronan O'Gara revealed that Ireland's win removed that “stigma about having them [All Blacks] up on a pedestal”, which might have existed during his playing.
While that may be the case, Ireland are yet to beat the All Blacks on New Zealand soil, having last toured there in 2012.
If Ireland prevail at Eden Park on Saturday, it will mark their first victory over the All Blacks in New Zealand and break the All Blacks unbeaten streak at the ground.
Although Andy Farrell’s side are maybe in the best position to earn their first-ever victory over the All Blacks in New Zealand, it is easier said than done given the hosts' record at Eden Park.
Since their 20-23 loss to France in 1994, the All Blacks have seen off 45 opponents, with only two draws, to establish Eden Park as a genuine fortress and one of the most vaunted stadiums in the world for visiting sides.
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The scars of defeat
Scrumhalf Aaron Smith admitted Friday that New Zealand still carry "scar tissue" from their loss to Ireland last year, and will use it to fuel a furious response in the first Test in Auckland.
"There's obviously still scar tissue, you'd be silly not to think about last year," Smith said.
"This group has been excited, looking at the footage and learning from that game. There's a lot of hungry people on the bus ready to put their foot forward.
"And these days it doesn't get much bigger than Ireland coming here. Definitely in the last 5-6 years, the rivalry has grown."
Loose forward Caelan Doris is one of 10 Ireland players starting this weekend who ran out at Dublin, where he scored a memorable try.
Doris had no doubt the eight returning starters from New Zealand would be eyeing retribution and that they would appreciate playing the game at Eden Park, where the All Blacks' remarkable unbeaten Test run dates back to 1994.
"It's not the end of their season like it was last year for them, and they're in their comfort zone, they're at Eden Park, they've got that track record here," Doris said.
"For us to come over to their backyard, the best nation in the world, it's a chance to create a bit of history by winning."
Doris is one of 12 Ireland starters from Leinster, who have been a dominant club force in Europe over the last two years, a period in which the national team has won 12 of their last 13 Tests.
Ongoing Irish success had created a momentum they didn't want to lose on what is an intensely difficult New Zealand tour, he said.
"I think there's a huge belief in individuals and in ourselves after some of the performances we've had over the last 18 months or so," he said.
"It's been building and we genuinely believe that if we get ourselves right and we perform to our capability we can beat anybody we play on the day.
"It's pretty exciting to be in that sort of space."
Ireland's breakdown speed has become a weapon, something noticed by Smith, who watched the loss in Dublin, injured, from the grandstand.
Most telling was how New Zealand-born Irish scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park was able to control the game, Smith said, underlining how much he has blossomed into a world-class No.9.
"He's forged out an awesome career at Leinster and now he's transferred it to Test level. He likes to play that tempo game," Smith said.
"So he's a big part of our plans, trying to make sure he has a slower night than how they like to play. Hopefully, he won't have such a nice ride this time."
Player to watch:
For New Zealand: The big talking point, is the selection of Scott Barrett at blindside flank. The last time he wore the No.6 jersey was in the semifinal loss to England at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, so it is going to be interesting to see how the move unfolds. Sam Cane will captain the side, while the likes of Ardie Savea and experienced locks Samual Whitelock and Brodie Retallick will also add some physicality. In the backs, playmaker Beauden Barrett will have to deliver a tactical performance.
For Ireland: New Zealand-born duo James Lowe and Jamison Gibson Park will both start for Ireland, while Bundee Aki has been named on the bench. Gibson Park will partner with Johnny Sexton as the halfback pairing. The two have to be in fine form to challenge the likes of Aaron Smith and Beuaden Barrett. Other players worth watching are European Player of the year Josh van der Flier, Peter O’Mahony and Caelan Dorris, who scored the crucial try in last year's win over New Zealand. Up front, Andrew Porter returns to the side having missed the final two games of this year’s Six Nations through injury.
Recent results:
2021: Ireland won 29-20, Dublin
2019: New Zealand won 46-14, Tokyo
2018: Ireland won 16-9, Dublin
2016: New Zealand won 21-9, Dublin
2016: Ireland won 40-29, Chicago
2013: New Zealand won 24-22, Dublin
2012: New Zealand won 60-0, Hamilton
2012: New Zealand won 22-19, Christchurch
Prediction:
@rugby365com: New Zealand by three points
Teams:
New Zealand: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Scott Barrett, 5 Samual Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Pita Gus Sowakula, 20 Dalton Papalii, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Richie Mo’unga, 23 Braydon Ennor.
Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (captain), 9 Jamison Gibson Park, 8 Caelan Dorris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 James Ryan, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.
Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 Finlay Bealham, 18 Cian Healy, 19 Kieran Treadwell, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Bundee Aki
Date: Saturday, July 2
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19.05 (08.05 Irish Time, 07.05 GMT)
Expected weather: Mostly clear. High of 15°C and a low of 8°C
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Wayne Barnes (RFU) & Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)