All Blacks to field new starting winger and converted flanker against Ireland

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has named his team for Ireland, with rookie Josh Moorby promoted to start and lock Tupou Vaa’i moved to the back row for the Eden Park showdown.

Moorby’s start on the left wing comes with Caleb Clarke covering on the bench, while Vaa’i moving to the blindside flank has allowed the team to name two flankers, Anton Segner and Peter Lakai, in the reserves as well.

Patrick Tuipulotu is in line for his first minutes in black this year and will start alongside Josh Lord in the second row. Quinn Tupaea returns to the No.13 jersey, with Jordie Barrett cleared to play after some injury concern earlier in the week.

It’s a familiar starting front row, with Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax named to go again with back-up from Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Fletcher Newell. Luke Jacobson and Ardie Savea welcome Vaa’i into the loose forwards.

In the backline, Rennie has stuck with the Hurricanes trio of Cam Roigard, Ruben Love and Barrett as his 9-10-12 axis, with Cortez Ratima and Anton Lienert-Brown named on the bench. Moorby joins Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie in a back three that caused some damage for Italy last week in Wellington.

“Ireland have been one of the best sides in the world for a number of years now,” Rennie said. “They are very experienced and well-coached and will have belief on the back of their recent success here. We are well aware of the challenge they pose.

“We have selected a strong team that allows some of the combinations we have tested to continue building, and rewards players who have impressed over the last two rounds, including some of our recent debutants.

“We know how important our bench will be against a team as tenacious as Ireland, so have selected players who we know are capable of making an impact and influencing the course of the game.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

3

Draws

0

Wins

2

Average Points scored

22

21

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

0%

All Blacks team to play Ireland

1. Ethan de Groot
2. Codie Taylor
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. Josh lord
5. Patrick Tuipulotu
6. Tupou Vaa’i
7. Luke Jacobson
8. Ardie Savea
9. Cam Roigard
10. Ruben Love
11. Josh Moorby
12. Jordie Barrett
13. Quinn Tupaea
14. Will Jordan
15. Damian McKenzie

Reserves

16. Asafo Aumua
17. Xavier Numia
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Anton Segner
20. Peter Lakai
21. Cortez Ratima
22. Anton Lienert-Brown
23. Caleb Clarke