- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Saturday’s third New Zealand-Ireland rugby clash might seem like a dead Test with the series secured for NZ, but the firey Irish came within moments of securing a famous victory in the second Test. Join us for live scores and blog from 5:35pm AEST of a big third Test.
The home side were stung after almost losing the second Test, and Ireland are desperate to secure their first victory over the All Blacks after coming so close in Christchurch.
This makes the Hamilton game is anything but a dead rubber.
“We were disappointed we didn’t perform as well as we did the week before, but we were up against an Irish team that were up a step,” All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said.
“We’ve got to make sure that we progress.”
McCaw admits there’s been an extra edge to training since the 22-19 scare in Christchurch.
“We thought we had a good week last week but, in hindsight, it didn’t have the same feel as the week before,” he said.
“It certainly put everyone’s feet firmly on the ground.”
The Irish players looked deflated in Christchurch after failing to get the win, but assistant coach Les Kiss says they’re ready to face a hungrier All Blacks side.
“We’ve looked to ramp up the areas that we thought we were good in, and make sure we cover some of the areas where we gave them easy possession.
“If we can get on top of those things, it’ll be a good game.”
Ireland have made three changes to their starting team and the All Blacks six, though both teams had their hand forced by injuries.
The injury to All Blacks five-eighth Dan Carter is on paper the most notable, but Aaron Cruden confidently filled in for him in the World Cup and No.8 Kieran Read’s injury might be more significant.
Read’s power will be missed, but McCaw has confidence he can do the job at No.8.
“At the end of the day, apart from a little bit of stuff at set piece time, you don’t change your game a whole lot.”
– With NZN.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.