New Zealand respond after England player calls Haka ‘ridiculous’
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Ireland are out for a measure of Rugby World Cup revenge as they host New Zealand in their Autumn Nations Series opener in Dublin.
Andy Farrell’s side were narrowly beaten by the All Blacks in a thrilling Paris quarter-final last October, ending their hopes of breaking their tournament hoodoo. While Farrell downplayed the revenge angle ahead of a blockbuster clash, suggesting his side needed no extra motivation for such a marquee fixture, any lingering hurt is sure to surface as his team look to right a few wrongs back on home soil.
The visitors began their European tour with a much-needed win over England last weekend, showing clear development as they fought back in the final quarter to secure victory.
Head injuries rule out two key figures in Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor, though, and a short turnaround may also have posed head coach Scott Robertson a few problems as a gruelling November continues for the All Blacks.
Follow all of the action from the Aviva Stadium in our live blog below:
Ireland vs New Zealand LIVE
New Zealand team news
New Zealand are without fly half Beauden Barrett and hooker Codie Taylor, who both failed head injury assessments during the win over England. Damian McKenzie steps into the starting side after a pivotal cameo off the bench last week, while Taylor’s replacement Asafo Aumua was similarly effective having been forced on inside ten minutes. Ethan de Groot remains absent after failing to meet internal standards.
New Zealand XV: 1 Tamaiti Williams, 2 Asafo Aumua, 3 Tyrel Lomax; 4 Scott Barrett (capt.), 5 Tupou Vaa’i; 6 Wallace Sititi, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Ardie Savea; 9 Cortez Ratima, 10 Damian McKenzie; 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Mark Tele’a; 15 Will Jordan.
Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Samipeni Finau; 21 Cam Roigard, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Stephen Perofeta.
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 19:10
Ireland team news
Ireland have suffered mixed injury news in the front row, where Ronan Kelleher is fit to start at hooker but Leinster colleague Tadhg Furlong is ruled out with a hamstring issue. Finlay Bealham steps in at tighthead while wing Mack Hansen is set for his first appearance in Irish green since last year’s World Cup quarter-final. Jack Crowley gets the nod ahead of Ciaran Frawley at fly half.
Ireland XV: 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 3 Finlay Bealham; 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 James Ryan; 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris (capt.); 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Jack Crowley; 11 James Lowe, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Mack Hansen; 15 Hugo Keenan.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Peter O’Mahony; 21 Conor Murray, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Jamie Osborne.
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 19:00
Ireland can’t soothe World Cup pain but All Blacks offer important benchmark
Victory for Ireland over New Zealand on Friday evening won’t wash away the pain of 14 October 2023. Those 37 phases of agony, yet another World Cup quarter-final exit and four years to ponder just how they came out on the wrong side of one of the most thrilling Tests of all time.
Luke Baker8 November 2024 18:45
Inside the All Blacks rebuild: How rugby’s greatest brand must regain its sheen
A win over England has restored a bit of belief to the New Zealand ranks after a lean Rugby Championship. But the All Blacks’ brand has not felt this weak for some time:
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 18:30
Ireland vs New Zealand talking points: Captain Caelan eyes Lions role
Ireland number eight Caelan Doris is already being touted as Farrell’s captain for next year’s British and Irish Lions tour of Australia. The in-form 26-year-old has a major opportunity to further stake his claim for that role this month after taking the captaincy from Peter O’Mahony. Doris first skippered Ireland against Italy in this year’s Six Nations before leading his country to July’s series-levelling 25-24 win against South Africa in Durban. “He’s thriving in the role now,” Farrell said of Doris’ leadership. “You can see that, he’s certainly walking tall. He’s taken it all in his stride and that puts everyone else at ease.”
(PA Wire)
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 18:15
Ireland vs New Zealand talking points: Scrum struggles
Struggles at the scrum were a contributing factor to Ireland’s quest to lift the Webb Ellis Cup falling short just over 12 months ago. They will need to rectify those issues if they are to change the outcome this time around and must do so with a rejigged front row. Injury has deprived the hosts of star tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong, resulting in a start for Finlay Bealham, while they appear rusty at hooker. With first-choice number two Dan Sheehan sidelined, Ronan Kelleher is thrust straight in after recovering from an ankle issue. Replacement hooker Rob Herring has not played this season.
Ireland prop Finlay Bealham, pictured, will start in place of the injured Tadhg Furlong (PA Archive)
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 18:00
Ireland vs New Zealand talking points: Revenge not on the agenda
Ireland players on media duty this week have admitted the World Cup exit at the hands of the All Blacks still stings. Yet they – and head coach Farrell – have each stressed revenge is not a consideration going into what promises to be a titanic tussle. Aside from that agonising 28-24 quarter-final defeat in Paris, Ireland have had New Zealand’s number during the Farrell era. A memorable 29-20 Dublin win three autumns ago was followed by a historic 2-1 tour success in 2022. While victory on Friday evening cannot make up for the heartbreak suffered at Stade de France, Ireland will be eager to right some wrongs.
(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 17:45
Damain McKenzie replaces Beauden Barrett in All Blacks side
Damian McKenzie is back at fly half for New Zealand in their clash with Ireland in Dublin, one of two injury enforced changes to the side who secured a narrow win over England.
McKenzie, who has spent much of the year in the number 10 jersey, replaced Beauden Barrett, who is unavailable due to a concussion he received in the 24-22 victory at Twickenham.
It is fair to say McKenzie’s performances this season have been mixed, but on his day is a match-winner.
“When he is on he is world class. You have to trust him,” coach Scott Robertson told reporters on Wednesday.
Asafo Aumua comes in at hooker for Codie Taylor, who was also concussed last weekend. The rest of the side remains the same.
“We have tried to keep the continuity in the squad as much as possible,” Robertson said. “There were some good performances (against England) and some cohesion. We won’t change just for the sake of it.”
(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 17:30
Ireland given huge front-row fitness boost as team named for All Blacks test
Prop Bealham comes into the team for Friday’s match in place of injured tighthead Tadhg Furlong, while hooker Kelleher has been passed fit after suffering an ankle issue only a month ago.
Kelleher, whose availability is a massive boost given the absence of sidelined Leinster team-mate Dan Sheehan, is one of 10 players retained from the side which began the series-levelling 25-24 win over world champions South Africa on July 13.
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 17:15
Joe McCarthy – Ireland have earned right to ‘feel confident’ facing New Zealand
Lock Joe McCarthy believes Ireland have “earned the right” to feel confident of taking on the All Blacks as they attempt to banish bitter memories of last year’s agonising Rugby World Cup exit.
New Zealand are due at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin tonight for the first meeting of the sides since Andy Farrell’s team were defeated 28-24 in the quarter-finals of the 2023 tournament in France.
Ireland had won five of the previous eight clashes between the nations prior to the painful elimination in Paris, including securing a historic 2-1 tour success in 2022.
“Getting to play the All Blacks is where we want to be, testing ourselves against a world-class team, it’s exciting,” said McCarthy, who is fully fit following a recent hamstring issue.
“Every game starts on zero. I feel like every game, you have to make it happen.
“No matter what position you play, you’re playing against 15 top-quality rugby players, so you’re preparing as hard as you can.
“We’ve had a good track record the last few years, we’ve earned the right to have a bit of confidence going into games.”
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 17:00
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