New Zealand and Ireland meet in the 2nd test of Ireland’s tour down under at Rugby League Park, Christchurch, this Saturday, 16 June. Both teams have been announced for this game.
The Ireland coach Declan Kidney has made four changes to the team that lost the first test to the All Blacks last weekend.
Winger Andrew Trimble replaces Simon Zebo who is relegated to the bench. Another change in the backline see Gordon D’ Arcy start in place of injured Keith Earls.
In the forwards, flanker Kevin Mc Laughlan starts in place of Peter O’ Mahoney who will be on the bench. Mike Ross returns from injury and replaces Declan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick has been named as a replacement.
Teams as follows:
New Zealand: 15 I Dagg; 14 Z Guildford; 13 C Smith; 12 S Bill Williams; 11 J Savea; 10 D Carter; 9 A Smith (1);
1 T Woodcock; 2 A Hore; 3 O Franks; 4 B Retallick; 5 S Whitelock; 6 A Thomson; 7 R McCaw [capt]; 8 K Read.
Replacements: 16 H Elliot; 17 B Franks; 18 A Williams; 19 S Cane; 20 P Weepu; 21 A Cruden; 22 Ben Smith
Ireland: 15 R Kearney; 14 F McFadden; 13 B O’Driscoll [capt]; 12 G D’Arcy; 11 A Trimble; 10 J Sexton; 9 C Murray; 1 C Healy; 2 R Best; 3 M Ross; 4 D Tuohy; 5 D Ryan; 6 K McLaughlin;7 S O’Brien; 8 J Heaslip.
Replacements: 16 S Cronin; 17 D Fitzpatrick; 18 D O’Callaghan; 19 P O’Mahony; 20 E Reddan; 21 R O’Gara; 22 S Zebo
Unfortunately for my “other” team, I don’t think these changes will make any difference. Predicting the same kind of result as last week.
@ GoBokkeAndIreland:
Hi there Bok and Irish fan, yeah sorry for you it possibly won’t change the final result but at least Ireland may push the All Blacks closer this time. The changes to me strengthen the Irish team, really think Trimble is a game breaker and should have been there ahead of Zebo last week anyway, D’Arcy is also still good and maybe better than Earls and has also played a lot more in the centre with O’Driscoll. Then Mike Ross is possibly the biggest gain, as a strong scrummagger hopefully for you he will help Ireland get better ball from that platform to unleash the backs. Although will be interesting to find out in the game how much Cian Healy has really recovered from his injury. Big pity though and one they missing a lot upfront is Stephen Ferris. All the best for you anyway on Saturday.
@ Bullscot:
1 thing that seems to be happening worldwide is that certain teams (New Zealand, S.A, Eng) seem to be finding new/young players who are as good as (if not better than) the older players they replace. Other teams (Ireland, imo) really seem to struggle with this. I think this will be quite an important issue, come next World Cup.
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