All Blacks: Stanley, Dagg set to make debuts against Ireland

Israel Dagg is likely to be named at fullback for the test against Ireland. Photo / Getty Images

Ireland's loss to the Barbarians barely registered within the All Black camp. As far as coach Graham Henry was concerned, the game at Thomond Park was the inevitable consequence of the Irish team already having their minds focused on this week's test in New Plymouth.

"They were on the plane, weren't they? Which is always a risk when you play a game before you tour," said Henry. "Guys are half-hearted and not totally committed to the game."

The respect the All Blacks feel for the Irish will be evident when they announce the test side on Tuesday. Henry says he and his fellow coaches have settled on their 15 which is expected to include debutants Benson Stanley and Israel Dagg in the starting line-up.

Sam Whitelock will feature at some stage, probably from the bench, as Tom Donnelly continues to be plagued by pain in his foot. The big Otago lock played an intermittent part in yesterday's training as the medics battled to determine the exact nature of the problem.

"He's had all the scans and x-rays and he's A-plus according to all those things, but he's still in pain," said Henry.

Depending on the make-up of the bench there could be four, possibly five new caps in the 22 if Aaron Cruden and/or Victor Vito are involved.

While that might seem to be treating the Irish as a relatively light threat, the 22 is arguably the strongest the All Blacks could field given their available resources.

Donnelly isn't ready and Mils Muliaina and Richard Kahui have to play club rugby - both trained yesterday and are pencilled in to play on Saturday in Waikato - before they can be deemed ready for test duty.

Given his form this season, there is confidence in what Dagg can offer at fullback, especially with the experience of Rokocoko and Jane alongside him.

The same is true of Stanley, who couldn't ask for better players to be around him. Slotting in at 12 will be that bit easier when Dan Carter is at 10 and Conrad Smith at 13.

"The good thing about Benson is that he's a bright boy," said Henry. "He's one of the navigators at the Blues so he's fitting in well here."

The lack of experience in the backs will put some pressure on the pack to take control of the test. The expected loose trio of Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw and Kieran Read has ball-carrying clout and defensive bite. Brad Thorn and Anthony Boric are likely to start at lock.

Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock are the probable front-row and one eminently capable of unsettling the Irish at the scrum. To help in that mission, Henry will be talking to match referee Wayne Barnes, pleading for the Englishman to create the platform for a genuine contest.

"It's going to be a challenge for northern hemisphere referees. In the European Cup they didn't play these rules but I think in their own competitions they may have and hopefully they can handle it."

Likely starting XV: Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Benson Stanley, Joe Rokocoko, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Anthony Boric, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.