New Zealand has named their squad with a number of new caps, similar to Ireland. The presence of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter in the team will bring comfort to a lot of New Zealand fans.
These two additions should assure the Kiwis yet another three victories, to go with the other twenty-odd they’ve already had. Or will they?
Ireland has had to travel without a few household names due to injury – Paul O’Connell, Tom Bowe, Stephen Ferris.
But for all of that the squad has some interesting names, who are going to get their last chance to play for their country against the New Zealanders on home turf.
How do the various players compare against each other?
The two hookers for New Zealand have a much greater combined experience over Rory Best and Sean Cronin, though both have sufficient caps under their belt.
The greenhorn, Mike Sherry of Munster, will certainly have a baptism of fire if he gets a call up.
Andrew Hore (62)
Keven Mealamu (92)
versus
Rory Best (59)
Sean Cronin (19)
Mike Sherry*
Either side of them, New Zealand are streets ahead in the propping stakes.
The Franks brothers, along with Tony Woodcock and Wyatt Crockett, will give the Irish front row a torrid time.
The only experienced Irish tighthead Mike Ross is in doubt for the first Test, in which case Declan Kidney only has three newbies to call on.
Declan Fitzpatrick of Ulster is likely to get the call up. He deputised for John Afoa in Ulster’s Heineken semi-final and acquitted himself well.
Loughlin and Wilkinson, both from development province, Connacht, must be gulping hard.
Wyatt Crockett (6)
Ben Franks (15)
Owen Franks (31)
Ben Tameifuna*
Tony Woodcock (83)
versus
Mike Ross (20)
Cian Healy (30)
Declan Fitzpatrick*
Ronan Loughney*
Brett Wilkinson*
NZ don’t have Brad Thorn and Ireland don’t have Paul O’Connell.
These are big shoes to be filled by the players stepping in.
Ali Williams and Donncha O’Callaghan are the two old heads – will either of them start though? A good few Irish fans are hoping that Ryan and Tuohy start a new second-row partnership.
Brodie Retallick*
Luke Romano*
Samuel Whitelock (25)
Ali Williams (73)
versus
Donncha O’Callaghan (85)
Donnacha Ryan (18)
Dan Tuohy (2)
Mike McCarthy (4)
In the loose, the incomparable Richie McCaw looms large over the back-row artists and O’Brien will have his work cut out against the maestro.
Unfortunately Jerome Kaino and Stephen Ferris are not available, so the blindsiders stepping up will be looking to make names for themselves.
Kevin McLaughlin has only two caps to his name. There is the possibility of O’Brien taking over his original six shirt and either O’Mahony or Henry taking the openside.
Heaslip will remember his red card the last time out and will be looking to out-perform Read. Either he or Best will lead the pack in O’Connell’s absence.
Sam Cane*
Richie McCaw (103)
Kieran Read (36)
Adam Thomson (24)
Victor Vito (13)
versus
Sean O’Brien (19)
Kevin McLaughlin (2)
Jamie Heaslip (48)
Peter O’Mahony (4)
Chris Henry (1)
The inclusion of Piri Weepu over Andrew Ellis has raised a few Kiwi eyebrows. With newbie Aaron Smith on the bench, there will be a lot of expectation on his shoulders if he starts.
Eoin Reddan and Conor Murray might hope to gain some parity here.
Aaron Smith *
Piri Weepu (56)
versus
Eoin Reddan (42)
Conor Murray (6)
Paul Marshall *
The grizzled head of Ronan O’Gara sticks out like a sore thumb in the next grouping.
A lot of Irish fans would have liked to have seen Sexton’s Leinster partner Ian Madigan get a shout for this tour.
Will Daniel Carter start or will Aaron Cruden get the nod?
Hopefully Kidney doesn’t change his mind again and puts Sexton into the ten shirt for every Test alongside his Leinster nine partner Reddan.
This will be a great match-up: Carter – the acknowledged king – versus Sexton, who is still having to prove himself in a green shirt, despite his provincial successes in blue.
Daniel Carter (85)
Aaron Cruden (9)
Beauden Barrett*
versus
Jonny Sexton (29)
Ronan O’Gara (121)
There are more grizzled heads in the centre for both sides.
Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll will lead his team out for the last time on tour in New Zealand.
Alongside him, more than likely, will be Gordon Darcy.
Will they face their old nemeses – Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu? Or will newbie Tamati Ellison get a look in and Sonny Bill Williams move to the wing?
It should be a good battle, regardless of the make-up.
Tamati Ellison (1)
Ma’a Nonu (66)
Conrad Smith (55)
Sonny Bill Williams (14)
versus
Brian O’Driscoll (117)
Gordon Darcy (68)
Darren Cave (2)
Fergus McFadden (11)
The back-three partnerships could also prove to be one of the key battlegrounds of the series.
Ireland has a strong edge on Test experience over their New Zealand opponents, but Israel Dagg showed what he can do the last time New Zealand thrashed Ireland in 2010.
Rob Kearney has been in superb form for both Leinster and Ireland this season and was recently awarded European Player of Year.
Hopefully lots of tries are scored from both sides and that some of the new faces – such as Julian Savea and Simon Zebo – get a chance to show their paces.
Israel Dagg (12)
Hosea Gear (8)
Zac Guildford (8)
Ben Smith (2)
Julian Savea*
versus
Keith Earls (31)
Andrew Trimble (46)
Rob Kearney (38)
Simon Zebo*
Derm
Roar Guru
Recognise your argument, Jarmen. Ireland have never beaten the All Blacks so not much to get excited about. That may all change by Saturday though. There's always a first time.....
moaman
Roar Guru
ps Pot....Looking at swapping Thomson to bench and starting Victor at 6.
allblackfan
Guest
so do I! BTW ... the South shall rise again Please note: This is not meant to condone the abhorent practices of the Confederate South during Civil War-era US:-) THE SOUTH SHALL RISE AGAIN!!
chuck
Guest
This north & south game are great for New Zealand rugby this is why the pipe line of players coming through no what is required too take the next step if they want too push on bigger goals playing with players they normally play against so what if its to help Otago the All Black & Maori selectors are looking around for talent that might have slipped through the net so its important they look at all players when games like this comes along
jack
Guest
couldn't agree more. without taking anything from carter, i gotta say that cruden and sbw definitely read each other more intuitively... it's almost scary. they seem to know each others plays back to front and which angles to run and when. i guess that also comes down to great coaching especially on the part of wayne smith. i would love to see sbw-cruden teaming up in game 1 and seeing what magic they can weave. but i highly doubt the coaches will overlook carter for cruden.
kiwi
Guest
I think the AB scrum will kill them - ala the England match at the end of the Six Nations. NZ have maybe six or eight props that would walk into the Irish side. If they can gain the (expected by me) ascendancy, I would love to see Savea and Gear let loose! I can see Ireland being Savea-ly tested! (Credit to Sam Ikin.)
Emric
Guest
looking forward to this game.. Go the NORTH
mania
Guest
hope so. highlanders and otago rugby cant survive if it doesnt have its scarfies supporting them.
allblackfan
Guest
I'm also looking forward to the N-S game, Jarmen, especially given that this is a money-spinner for Otago RU (who need it). More to the point, the Zoo at the stadium will be open (unless the students are on holiday). I'm really impressed with what they have done with the Zoo. Building the stadium on uni grounds helps but the Zoo has been incorporated into the must-do thing for students on Friday/Saturday nights!! Waratahs take note!!
mania
Guest
agree moaman season is alredy quite long as is for an AB, feb to nov, so another game nah i'm against it. all i remember is the injuries.
Jarmen
Guest
Exactly each to their own Mania I'm not saying the I don't want to watch the Irish test I simply said I was more excited about the North South match this weekend
Jarmen
Guest
To be fair Jerry can one not have an opinion and be more excited about a North South match than they are a test match against the Irish?
Moaman
Guest
Don't hold your breath on Cruden starting ABF though that would be very exciting! Jarmen-good points but the very fact that it is not a true north-South with players playing for their island of birth and hence some real pride,is what detracts from it the most,for me.Essentially it's a super festival game.Good cause though.(It was me that mentioned "trails" btw) Not being critical of your opinion-just sharing mine ;-) Mania-the congested season is probably a good enough reason not to revive those games though they were beauties back in the day.I am quite nostalgic about the Black-white 'Possibles v Probables games where,you felt,careers could be made or broken.They had real drama.
mania
Guest
each to their own
Jarmen
Guest
Did I say it was a trial Mania? No I didn't but there is the chance the fringe players could push for higher honours if injuries come into play during the Irish series. Sure its a test match but do you really think all test matches are even? Would you be as excited about NZ playing Scotland for example or NZ vs Fiji? No disrespect to the Irish im just not as interested in this first test as I am in the local derby
Jerry
Guest
To be fair Jarmen, Ireland have generally provided a good test for the AB's when they've toured in recent years. Other than the thrashing in New Plymouth in 2010 (when Ireland played with 14 men for most of the match) they've been a good test and came close to winning twice in 06 (and in some earlier tours like 02).
Jarmen
Guest
Don't get me wrong i am looking forward to both matches I'm just more excited about the North vs South match albeit a money spinner or exhibition match. There are a lot of players turning out in this match who have another option to push for higher honours and quite a few ex ABs and fringe players will be getting a run. Its a pity Ellis and Perenara aren't available for this match, two of the form halfbacks of the SR competition and neither turning out for the ABs they really had a perfect opportunity to stick it to Hansen and co and show them what they are missing out on. In Ellis's case I think it is more of dented ego more than anything and in some ways I can't blame him
mania
Guest
come on jarmen - a test is still a test and seeing how the AB's are faring must have you keen. in regards with N vs S game this isnt even a proper trial as AB's have already been selected.
Jarmen
Guest
Yes really, Im sorry but I never get excited by Northern teams coming down under. generally speaking because the matches are normally one sided affairs, sure you could put this down to one offs and teams not being able to build some momentum etc, but still i'm just not that excited about Ireland being in the country and oddly enough the media hasn't really turned up the hype yet either. Then again this could just be a slow build up and we may see a crank up in publicity in the coming days. Sure the ABs have had a lot of press as would be expected however the Irish are largely flying under the radar It may be a tepid imitation Moaman and yes its not the traditional North South but all going well it could be the beggining of a new era and the reinstatement of an annual fixture. Im excited about the specatacle it could be and maybe just maybe we will see a return to the star studded matches that we used to have. I still think its odd to see Robbie Robinson will be running out for the North and Jared Hoeata for the South
allblackfan
Guest
Jarmen, I am looking forward to both games! If SBW is starting then I'd expect Cruden to start. Cruden is bringing out the best in SBW. This may mean the ABs have a super-bench!