The NZ-born backrower looking to help Ireland topple All Blacks at Eden Park

New Zealand-born Sean Jansen will face the All Blacks for the first time after earning a place on Ireland’s bench ahead of Saturday’s Nations Championship Test. The loose forward made a try-scoring debut just last week but is now set to play at the All Blacks’ Eden Park fortress.

Jansen is one of three New Zealanders selected in the visitors’ matchday squad, with scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park named in the starting side and Bundee Aki providing impact off the bench in the No. 23 jersey.

The backrower is originally from Dunedin but left New Zealand’s shores in early 2022 after signing a deal with England Premiership side Leicester, before securing a move to Ireland with URC outfit Connacht 13 months later.

Jansen made eight appearances for The Westerns during the 2023/24 campaign before taking things to another level over the next two seasons. The now 27-year-old was rewarded for strong performances with an Ireland A call-up, and later even higher honours with the Test team.

Ireland coach Andy Farrell named Jansen in the run-on side at No. 8 ahead of last weekend’s 36-20 win over Japan in Newcastle. The debutant was honoured with a haka post-game and is now in line to play his countrymen at one of the sport’s most iconic stadiums.

“I obviously said after the [Japan] game that he’s a fantastic example of how to nail your debut,” Farrell told reporters in Auckland.

“Basically he’s just being himself, he is. He doesn’t let the game or the thought of first cap or anything like that get in the way of producing what he knows he’s all about. You just know he’s going to be able to do that again on Saturday.

“He shows his character, doesn’t it, of how he’s gone about his business. Backing himself to go overseas and first at Leicester and then eh went to Connacht and he’s been unbelievably consistent, and not just consistent but some top performances certainly for Connacht this year and he’s backed that up at Test level.

“I don’t think he’ll be overawed by what’s in front of him at all. He’ll just be himself.”

Jansen shifts to the bench in the team to play New Zealand, with Ireland unveiling their side at 9:30 am local time on Thursday morning. 40-Test hooker Dan Sheehan returns to captain the side, while Tadhg Beirne shifts from the second row into the loose forwards.

Beirne will combine with fellow British & Irish Lions Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan, with Jansen providing cover off the bench. 50-Test hooker Ronan Kelleher and former World Rugby Player of the Year nominee Aki are among the others named in the replacements.

“We should be pleased with a fully fit squad,” Farrell said.

“We’ve had 36 come out with us and 36 train and fully fit. A healthy squad is always nice and there’s a bit of competition there as well.

“Obviously pleased with what we’ve got.”

Both Ireland and New Zealand are chasing a perfect third Nations Championship victory from as many matches. The Irish defeated the Wallabies in a two-point thriller a fortnight ago in Sydney, before beating the Brave Blossoms in Newcastle the following week.

The All Blacks began their new era under coach Dave Rennie with a hard-fought win over France at Christchurch’s One New Zealand Stadium, before running away with a comprehensive result against Italy at Wellington’s Hnry Stadium.

New Zealand boasts a 52-game unbeaten run at Eden Park and will look to extend that remarkable record further on Saturday evening. But fans will remember what happened the last time Ireland were in the country, with the visitors securing a historic 2-1 series win.

“I’ve been super impressed. I’ve obviously followed Dave’s career, very impressive one at that and understand fully how his sides like to play. We’ve seen that with the Chiefs and certainly saw it in Glasgow, the effect that he had, and obviously been successful with Japan,” he explained.

“I also thought he did a fantastic job in Australia a well.

“The style of rugby suits the DNA of how New Zealand rugby-playing nation want to play… it certainly makes them very dangerous on Saturday.”