All Blacks v Ireland: Scott Robertson names squad for Dublin test

Damian McKenzie of the All Blacks celebrates his try with Rieko Ioane. Photo / Photosport

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has revealed the squad to face Ireland on Saturday with just two injury-enforced changes to the starting lineout.

Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett were both ruled out due to concussions suffered in the win over England at Twickenham last week, meaning Asafo Aumua will start at hooker while Damian McKenzie returns in the 10 jersey.

McKenzie started the first eight tests of the season at first five-eighth before being moved to the bench for the second Bledisloe Cup test win. He came off the bench last Sunday kicking a penalty and a vital sideline conversion to complete the comeback win.

Aumua will make his third start of the season after playing 75 minutes last week. He is the only player to appear in every test this season.

George Bell will look to make his third All Blacks appearance off the bench, while Stephen Perofeta comes into the reserves as backs cover.

The All Blacks and Ireland have not met since the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final, and Robertson said the match will be fresh in the minds of many fans heading along to the game.

“This is a highly anticipated match that promises to bring all the intensity and passion that we have come to expect from these two rugby-mad nations, both on and off the field.

“We are really pleased with how the squad has come through this week and our focus has turned quickly to this encounter post-England. We have trained well, and the players are fresh and ready to face a fierce challenge from the Ireland team.”

Nine starters in the All Blacks side named for the Dublin test were in the squad that defeated Ireland in Paris.

Meanwhile, Ireland will be without prop Tadhg Furlong who suffered a reported groin injury at training.

All Blacks side to play Ireland:

1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Scott Barrett (Captain), 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 6. Wallace Sititi, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Ardie Savea (Vice-Captain) 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jordie Barrett (Vice-Captain), 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.

Ireland side to play All Blacks:

1 Andrew Porter, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 James Ryan, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 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

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All Blacks v Ireland, Saturday 9.10am

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