Brian O’Driscoll has revealed which area of the game could be “huge” in deciding the winner when Ireland face New Zealand in Dublin, live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Friday, November 8.
The last time these two sides met it was an absolute thriller as they produced a 2023 World Cup classic, with the All Blacks prevailing 28-24 to reach the semi-finals of last year’s competition in France.
He has been replaced in the front row by Finlay Bealham, while Ronan Kelleher has won his fitness battle to play at hooker in place of the injured Dan Sheehan.
There are two changes to the New Zealand side which was victorious at Twickenham last time out, with Damian McKenzie replacing Beauden Barrett at fly-half and hooker Asafo Aumua coming in for Codie Taylor.
‘All Blacks like to be world No. 1 picture’ – Captain Barrett relishing Ireland showdown
Barrett and Taylor were both injured during the win against England and failed head injury assessments.
Ahead of the match, which will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+, former Ireland captain O’Driscoll has been analysing where the game might be won and lost.
“I think the battle of the scrum will be huge,” he told TNT Sports.
“A couple of injuries for Ireland, certainly one big one in the front row in missing out on Tadhg Furlong. Returning hookers that haven’t got an awful lot of game time this year is a little bit of a concern.
“Conversely, you look at the All Blacks scrum, something that’s really improved in the last number of seasons, a real focus of theirs.
“It was an area that cost Ireland in the World Cup quarter-final last year. They have to make sure they’re on top of it to not lose momentum and territory in this game, but there’s very little between these teams.
“The kicking game will be important but hopefully we’ll see lots of tries. Both of these teams tend to score plenty. We should be in for an absolute feast.”
Which Autumn Nations Series matches are on TNT Sports?
TNT Sports are broadcasting every game of this year’s Autumn Nations Series. Below is the full list of fixtures and kick-off times (UK times).
Ireland v New Zealand, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 20:10England v Australia, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off: 15:10Italy v Argentina, Stadio Friuli, kick-off: 17:40France v Japan, Stade de France, kick-off: 20:10Wales v Fiji, Principality Stadium, kick-off: 13:40Scotland v South Africa, Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off: 16:10Ireland v Argentina, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 20:10Scotland v Portugal, Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off: 15:10England v South Africa, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off: 17:40France v New Zealand, Stade de France, kick-off: 20:10Italy v Georgia, TBC, kick-off 13:40Wales v Australia, Principality Stadium, kick-off 16:10France v Argentina, Stade de France, kick-off: 20:10Ireland v Fiji, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 15:10Wales v South Africa, Principality Stadium, kick-off: 17:40Italy v New Zealand, Allianz Stadium, kick-off: 20:10Scotland v Australia, Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off 13:40England v Japan, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off 16:10Ireland v Australia, Aviva Stadium, kick-off 15:10
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