All Blacks restore key players as they change 14 from 47-9 win over Italy in Rome last week; Wing Sevu Reece is the only player to keep his place; Rieko Ioane starts in the centre with David Havili on bench; Sam Whitelock captains the side; All Blacks lost on last trip to Dublin in 2018.
Last Updated: 11/11/21 12:32pm
Wing Sevu Reece is the only player retained from last week’s starting line-up for New Zealand as they named a strong team to take on Ireland in Saturday’s Test in Dublin.
The All Blacks rested their regulars for last Saturday’s 47-9 win against Italy in Rome but will be back to full strength, restoring the forward pack that helped them demolish Wales 54-16 in Cardiff a fortnight ago at the start of their autumn schedule.
Among the backs from the Wales Test, Rieko Ioane is moved from the wing to centre to replace David Havili, who drops to the bench as Reece moves over to the left after starting on the right against Italy.
“That’s the way we finished the Welsh game, with Anton moving in, Rieko moving to centre and Sevu on the wing,” said coach Ian Foster in a statement on Thursday.
“It’s a little bit of a reward for that combination. We’ve been able to use this series of games and the time together to try different things and thought a little change there would be good for us.
“We’re also pretty excited at the impact that Finlay (Christie), David (Havili) and Richie (Mounga) will have off the bench.”
Foster said New Zealand, who lost on their last visit to Dublin three years ago, were expecting a stiff test.
“We’ve watched Ireland’s development this year with interest, particularly through the latter part of the Six Nations and last week’s big win over Japan,” he said.
“They are certainly playing with confidence and ambition and represent a formidable challenge. We know what it’s going to mean here, and we want that kind of stage. It’s big and it’s exciting and is what motivates this team.”
New Zealand: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane 12 Anton Lienert Brown, 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara; 1 Joe Moody, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Nepo Laulala, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 6 Ethan Blackadder, 7 Dalton Papalii, 8 Ardie Savea.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Karl Tuinukuafe, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Tupou Vaai, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Richie Mounga, 23 David Havili.