DECORATED FLY-HALF BEAUDEN Barrett was once again omitted as New Zealand announced four starting changes on Thursday for the Nations Championship Test against Ireland in Auckland.
Coach Dave Rennie once again preferred the inexperienced Ruben Love in the number 10 jersey for Saturday’s match at Eden Park, leaving 144-Test veteran Barrett out completely for the third successive match.
Advertisement
The 35-year-old Barrett, one of the team’s most high-profile performers for more than a decade, is one of just three players who have gone unused in Rennie’s first 34-man squad.
Forward pack
There are two changes to the forward pack who started last week’s 47-17 win over Italy and one key positional switch, with Tupou Vaa’i shifting to blindside flanker.
The 26-year-old played a handful of Tests under Rennie’s predecessor Scott Robertson to give the team extra size.
Flanker Wallace Sititi is omitted while other changes up front see the introduction of Josh Lord and Patrick Tuipulotu at lock, with Sam Darry making way.
In the backline centre Billy Proctor and wing Leroy Carter are dropped, replaced by Quinn Tupaea and Josh Moorby, respectively. It will be the first Test start for in-form Wellington Hurricanes flyer Moorby.
Rennie is anticipating a major challenge from Ireland, with both teams having won both their opening matches in the inaugural inter-hemisphere Nations Championship.
“Ireland have been one of the best sides in the world for a number of years now. They are very experienced and well-coached and will have belief on the back of their recent success here,” Rennie said.
Related Reads
Ireland lack accuracy and energy in patchy performance
France overwhelm Australia 42-26 in Nations Championship
Jordan breaks try record as All Blacks rout Italy 47-17
“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.”
The Test is New Zealand’s last before they embark on the “Greatest Rivalry” four-Test tour to South Africa, the world champions.
New Zealand
15. Damian McKenzie
14. Will Jordan
13. Quinn Tupaea
12. Jordie Barrett
11. Josh Moorby
10. Ruben Love
9. Cam Roigard
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 (captain)
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
No room in All Blacks for Beauden Barrett against Ireland
DECORATED FLY-HALF BEAUDEN Barrett was once again omitted as New Zealand announced four starting changes on Thursday for the Nations Championship Test against Ireland in Auckland.
Coach Dave Rennie once again preferred the inexperienced Ruben Love in the number 10 jersey for Saturday’s match at Eden Park, leaving 144-Test veteran Barrett out completely for the third successive match.
The 35-year-old Barrett, one of the team’s most high-profile performers for more than a decade, is one of just three players who have gone unused in Rennie’s first 34-man squad.
Forward pack
There are two changes to the forward pack who started last week’s 47-17 win over Italy and one key positional switch, with Tupou Vaa’i shifting to blindside flanker.
The 26-year-old played a handful of Tests under Rennie’s predecessor Scott Robertson to give the team extra size.
Flanker Wallace Sititi is omitted while other changes up front see the introduction of Josh Lord and Patrick Tuipulotu at lock, with Sam Darry making way.
In the backline centre Billy Proctor and wing Leroy Carter are dropped, replaced by Quinn Tupaea and Josh Moorby, respectively. It will be the first Test start for in-form Wellington Hurricanes flyer Moorby.
Rennie is anticipating a major challenge from Ireland, with both teams having won both their opening matches in the inaugural inter-hemisphere Nations Championship.
“Ireland have been one of the best sides in the world for a number of years now. They are very experienced and well-coached and will have belief on the back of their recent success here,” Rennie said.
“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.”
The Test is New Zealand’s last before they embark on the “Greatest Rivalry” four-Test tour to South Africa, the world champions.
New Zealand
15. Damian McKenzie
14. Will Jordan
13. Quinn Tupaea
12. Jordie Barrett
11. Josh Moorby
10. Ruben Love
9. Cam Roigard
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 (captain)
Replacements:
– © AFP 2026
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Beauden Barrett Ireland New Zealand Rugby Teamsheet