DAMIAN MCKENZIE WILL start at out-half for New Zealand in Friday night’s Test match against Ireland in the Aviva Stadium.
McKenzie came off the bench in the second half of the All Blacks’ thrilling Twickenham win against England last week, and with Beauden Barrett ruled out as he continues the return to play concussion protocols, McKenzie is handed the reins at number 10.
His inclusion is one of two injury-enforced changes made by head coach Scott Robertson, with Asafo Aumua coming in at hooker in place of Codie Taylor, who is also following return to play protocols.
Blues back Stephen Perofeta is named among the replacements, as is Crusaders hooker George Bell.
Ethan de Groot is once again not included in the matchday 23 — the prop was left out last week after Robertson said he had not met the squad’s “internal standards” — while Ethan Blackadder (calf), Luke Jacobson (fractured thumb) and Dalton Papali’i (upper hamstring) are also unavailable due to injury.
New Zealand (v Ireland)
15. Will Jordan
14. Mark Tele’a
13. Rieko Ioane
12. Jordie Barrett
11. Caleb Clarke
10. Damian McKenzie
9. Cortez Ratima
1. Tamaiti Williams
2. Asafo Aumua
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. Scott Barrett (capt)
5. Tupou Vaa’i
6. Wallace Sititi
7. Sam Cane
8. Ardie Savea
Replacements:
16. George Bell
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
18. Pasilio Tosi
19. Patrick Tuipulotu
20. Samipeni Finau
21. Cam Roigard
22. Anton Lienert-Brown
23. Stephen Perofeta
Savea / Doris, tasty battle’s all over the place
De Groot still not in the 23. Must have went on sooome binge! Front row concerns , lineout concerns. DMAK needs to step up big time ..can’t wait to see the NZ strategy for this game ..
@Stuart: I AM (de)GROOT
@Stuart: think NZ scrum will have edge on Irish woman especially if o toole comes on. Think Ireland have edge lineout and breakdown definitely
@Gary Galligan: the NZ scrum wouldn’t stand a chance against the Irish women
@Gary Galligan: Woman ?
This is far from a vintage New Zealand team. Ireland should win this comfortably.
@Aidan Farrell: by 20?
@Stuart: 12 I’m thinking
@Aidan Farrell: alright Ray relax. You already made that point under your other profile on the other thread
@Stuart: I like what you did there ;)
@Aidan Farrell: na new zealand will win i think ireland great years might be coming to an end
@Shawn: I’d be more optimistic…we said that after Dricco and O’Connell’s golden generation came to an end and we got better. We have 3 six nations winning u20s to come through along with u20 world cup finalists. No guarantees of course but a lot more positive than most of the other tier 1 nations. I’d be far more concerned if I was a bok looking into the future
I think new zealand will win ireland i think the last few years have being amazing but i think we might have a drop in performances now i hope im wrong but we have had it good for years now
Very strong side, I would take their front row, backrow , fly half and full back over ours – and that’s not being disrespectful to our players in those positions. Make no mistake All Blacks can easily win on Friday – it would not be a surprise
@Owen ODonoghue: I’d take anyone’s fly half over ours……barely AIL quality
@Owen ODonoghue: I’d take Talea also.
@Owen ODonoghue: what about something like this ..I do think Porter is better than Williams at the moment..
1. Porter
2. Kelliher
3. Lomax
4. S. Barrett
5. Ryan
6. Satiti
7. Cane
8. Doris
9. JGP
10. DMAK
11. Lowe
12. Aki
13. Ringrose
14. Telea
15. Jordan
@Stuart: I’d have jordie barrett over aki, savea over Doris. Beirne over ryan
@Owen ODonoghue: of course they could win… there is nobody in their right mind saying otherwise. I would take Kelleher over their hooker all day long, I definitely would take Crowley over their starting 10 tomorrow, Keenan has yet to put a foot wrong in am Irish shirt so I don’t get where all the negativity is coming from…unless of course you are seeking a reaction or trolling like so many here lately
@James: You sure don’t lack confidence in your opinion even in the face of Crowley’s excellent Six Nations and SA tour. Can only be because of something his family did to yours years ago or where he comes from becuase his ability and performances have generally be highly rated since he came on the scene
If dmac comes down who plays 10? Shocked tuilopu doesn’t start lock was excellent when he came on Vs England. Vaii looks lightweight in there.
@Gary Galligan: Jordie goes 10 , LB covers 12