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Limited changes to All Blacks to face Ireland

The All Blacks have made two injury-enforced changes to the side to play Ireland in Dublin on Saturday morning

The All Blacks have made two injury-enforced changes to the side to play No 1-ranked Ireland in Dublin.


First-five Beauden Barrett and hooker Codie Taylor are replaced in the starting lineup by Damian McKenzie and Asafo Aumua, respectively to the clash at Aviva Stadium on Friday (kick-off 9.10am Saturday NZ Time).


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Barrett and Taylor were both ruled out of the test after suffering head injuries in last week's win over England at Twickenham. George Bell and Stephen Perofeta come into the reserves as hooker and backs cover.


Scott Barrett will captain the side at lock alongside Tupou Vaa'i, with Tyrel Lomax and Tamaiti Williams the props.


Ardie Savea, Sam Cane and Wallace Sititi once again make up the loose forwards and the All Blacks coaches will be hoping Sititi can continue his impressive international form.


Cortez Ratima starts at halfback with Cam Roigard again on the bench. Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane are outside McKenzie in the midfield, with Will Jordan, Caleb Clarke and Mark Telea, who scored two tries against England, in the back three.



All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson said that match will be fresh in the minds of many fans heading along to the game.


"This is a highly anticipated match that promises to bring all the intensity and passion that we have come to expect from these two rugby-mad nations, both on and off the field.


"We are really pleased with how the squad has come through this week and our focus has turned quickly to this encounter post-England. We have trained well, and the players are fresh and ready to face a fierce challenge from the Ireland team."


The All Blacks have played 27 tsts against Ireland since 1905, with a 21-1-5 record. The last time the teams met was during the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal in Paris where the All Blacks won a thrilling test 28-24.


ALL BLACKS: Will Jordan, Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Wallace Sititi, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett (captain), Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Tamaiti Williams. Reserves: George Bell, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samipeni Finau, Cam Roigard, Anton Lienert-Brown, Stephen Perofeta

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