STEVE HANSEN WAS evidently impressed by the team he fielded in last week’s test win over Ireland.
The New Zealand coach has made just one enforced change to the starting line-up, Adam Thomson coming into the back row in place of Victor Vito.
Vito has been ruled out of the remainder of the series with a knee ligament injury.
Advertisement
His place in the matchday 22 has been taken up by the uncapped 20-year-old Sam Cane.
That change aside, the line-up is identical to the one which romped to a 42-10 win over Declan Kidney’s men on Saturday.
There had been midweek rumblings that Hansen may drop Sonny Bill Williams from his inside centre role with Ma’a Nonu regaining full fitness.
The match will see the All Blacks return to the AMI Stadium in Christchurch which was deprived of world Cup hosting duties due to the life-changing earthquake.
New Zealand (v Ireland): Dagg, Guildford, C Smith, SB Williams, Savea, Carter, A Smith, Woodcock, Hore, O Franks, Retallick, Whitelock, Thomson, McCaw, Read.
Replacements: Elliot, B Franks, A Williams, Cane Weepu, Cruden, B Smith.
Tweak: All Blacks make one change for second test
STEVE HANSEN WAS evidently impressed by the team he fielded in last week’s test win over Ireland.
The New Zealand coach has made just one enforced change to the starting line-up, Adam Thomson coming into the back row in place of Victor Vito.
Vito has been ruled out of the remainder of the series with a knee ligament injury.
His place in the matchday 22 has been taken up by the uncapped 20-year-old Sam Cane.
That change aside, the line-up is identical to the one which romped to a 42-10 win over Declan Kidney’s men on Saturday.
There had been midweek rumblings that Hansen may drop Sonny Bill Williams from his inside centre role with Ma’a Nonu regaining full fitness.
The match will see the All Blacks return to the AMI Stadium in Christchurch which was deprived of world Cup hosting duties due to the life-changing earthquake.
In pictures: Irish team visit Christchurch’s Red Zone
3 ways Ireland can be more competitive against New Zealand on Saturday
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
All Blacks Declan Kidney Ireland Losing New Zealand summer tour