The All Blacks’ starting XV and replacements to face Ireland at Soldier Field on Saturday have fallen along anticipated lines and, it would seem, has given their team a stronger look, not least with the returning Beauden Barrett providing his experience at outhalf and recalled winger Caleb Clarke adding his aerial prowess.
The changes mean that Leicester Fainga’anuku and Damian McKenzie drop to the bench, with the Leinster-bound Rieko Ioane missing out. In a third change to the starting XV from their win over the Wallabies in Perth at the conclusion of the Rugby Championship four weeks ago, loosehead Ethan de Groot also returns from concussion. Lock Josh Lord is named on the bench to replace the injured Patrick Tuipulotu.
It is a further measure of their quality that last season’s sensational newcomer Wallace Sititi has to be content with a place on the bench again due to the form of Peter Lakai, as does talented scrumhalf Cortez Ratima.
“You always consider combinations, and what we thought was best for this group,” said head coach Scott Robertson. “We know how important the finishing side of our game is, and all the players picked themselves because they’re in good form.”
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“It’s a strong Irish bench as well,” he noted, “with a lot of experience and some key players on there. And as I mentioned, the finishing side of the game is pretty critical. So, good combinations and guys that can cover different positions, that’s important.”
Can Ireland upset the odds against New Zealand?
This Test has been billed as a rematch of the 2016 encounter in the same stadium, with the All Blacks’ players talking about rewriting history.
“We discussed the history, it’s all pretty fresh here,” said Robertson. “There’s going to be a lot of green there, it’s not the Aviva but it’s pretty close in regards to a lot of Irish being around the place.”
The return of Andy Farrell as head coach after his Lions sabbatical will only reinforce Ireland’s sense of identity in Robertson’s view.
“They know who they are, they’ve been there long enough, they’ve got a lot of cohesion and they’ve played together a lot. They’ve got together and they’ll be pretty clear on how they play, he’s experienced coaching, he’s good and they’ll be up for it.”
Noting that Ireland “got a few dings and a few players not available” Robertson said he hadn’t been paying too much attention to their likely selection and, hence, didn’t feel that the selection of Stuart McCloskey was a curveball in the week of baseball’s World Series again coming to a conclusion.
“But obviously he’s a big ball carrier, McCloskey, and he’ll add to the team. Sometimes the guys get their chance and they rise to it and I’m sure he will. Like I said, they’ve got a really good strong bench so I expect the best of them.”
McCloskey will be opposing former Leinster player Jordie Barrett, of whom Robertson said: “He’s got a coach’s eye, he understands detail really well, so it [Barrett’s Leinster experience] has been invaluable.”
Asked what Ioane had to do in order to regain a place in the squad, the All Blacks head coach said: “Well, take your opportunity anytime he gets it. He’s trained really hard and he understands it’s a hard team to get in. A hard team to pick so it’s an everyday job. You have to turn up every day.”
NEW ZEALAND: Will Jordan; Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke; Beauden Barrett, Cam Roigard; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell; Scott Barrett (capt), Fabian Holland; Simon Parker, Ardie Savea, Peter Lakai.
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Damian McKenzie.
