Ireland has received a boost ahead of their quarter-final against the All Blacks, with wingers Mack Hansen and James Lowe named in an unchanged XV from the one that easily dispatched Scotland. Join The Roar for live updates with kickoff at 6am AEDT.
Both wingers were in doubt after Hansen felt calf soreness after returning to the field following a HIA check, while Lowe suffered an eye injury.
But Andy Farrell hasn’t hesitated in naming either, despite Australian-born Hansen not training on Monday.
Ireland, however, have lost lock James Ryan because of a wrist injury. He is expected to be fit should Ireland reach the semi-finals for the first time.
It’s a quality line up, with only Robbie Henshaw the only other regular player in the matchday 23 that is missing following an injury at training last week.
Hansen’s fellow Australian Finlay Bealham has been named on the bench.
New Zealand have named an experienced lineup with a combined 1366 Test caps worth of experience.
“We are where we want to be,” said Ian Foster. “World Cup quarterfinals are so exciting for many reasons, and we know the pressure they bring.
Captain Sam Cane is joined by Ardie Savea and Shannon Frizell in the starting loose forward trio. It will mark the first time they have run out together since the team’s 35-20 win over South Africa in Auckland.
Loosehead prop Ethan de Groot has returned from suspension to join Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax in the front row. Their last-start together was in the team’s 38-7 win over Australia in Melbourne.
After a hat-trick of tries against Namibia, Leicester Fainga’anuku has been selected on the left wing and will feature alongside Beauden Barrett and Will Jordan in the back three. He gets his place with Mark Telea dropped due to a disciplinary issue.
Finlay Christie gets the nod ahead of Cam Roigard to back up Aaron Smith.
“We have huge respect for Ireland who are number one in the world for a reason,” added Foster. “We are excited by the opportunity we have in front of us and expect to be tested in many ways. That is what World Cups are about.”
Teams
Ireland (1-15): Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, Iain Henderson, Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris, Jamison Gibson-Park, Johnny Sexton (c), James Lowe, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan.
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Jimmy O’Brien
New Zealand (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett.
Streaming: Stan Sport
Odds (via PlayUp): Ireland $1.63, New Zealand $2.29.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Highlander made a point about his policing of the breakdown which was poor; thought he was lax with off-side too actually. Could have been worse tho Piru. O'Keefe is turning into a good whistler and thought Dickson had a good game in the Wales v Pumas game, particularly around a head contact incident that was just accidental and negligent by the recipient.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
By any chance does your tucked shirt have a 'W' (can be for Wallabies or for a Win; not both as they don't go together) and a picture of an 'Anchor'? Seriously mate, your acidic vitriol, does a disservice to a player I respect...
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Absolute rubbish at the break-down mate, although he got Porter's boring at scrum a few times. Ironically, he missed the same offenders pilfer from off-side that led to a try; where was the TMO then? Makes the penalty against Whitelock (rolling away took out an Irishmen who had no chance) when Fainganuku turned over on our line,all the more curious...
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Nice mate... and so true. Even her indoors was on the edge of her seat, wracked with nerves, keeping the neighbours up-to-date. Thought Sexton became pedestrian... literally. He should have been replaced...
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Jokerman would say to look inward Pete. Perhaps with a focus on your backyard, you could look at the jettisoning of Rennie with months before the big dance, followed closely by the jettisoning of some crucial experience, your name-sake for one, even closer. No matter what happens, Foster, like Hansen, may be a little guilty of persisting with players thru loyalty that are past their use-by (Ofa, Nemo etc), who could no longer impose their game-plan, which led to some record losses. If Foster can go out on a high, then he deserves some credit for that, like Jacko says. The whole coaching group does. It's likely that only Ryan will be retained. Not really sure what you're laughing at... or what point you're trying to score. Try enjoying the rugby... because it has been pure...
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
So he should be; brilliant coach...
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Frizzell was great until he wasn't; that miss on Bundee was poor...
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Great call. What a shift from the captain. Thought Jordie was huge...
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Spot on Moa. Porter off-side and boring in at scrum; should have been yellowed. There were several arms and legs that got in the way on our side of the ruck that didn't even draw penalties. That penalty against Whitelock would not have been so bad if there was consistency. Speaking of consistency I thought the Irish rush defense got off-side a few times too. But a couple of decisions went our way. Cane and Ardie turn over that could have been a penalty the other way. Didn't think Barnes was too bad. Thought the yellow on Aaron was harsh; definite penalty but you're having a laugh if you think that shoddy pass was a line-break. An enthralling contest in any case...
Stay-at-home-dad
Roar Rookie
So true Jacko. However I feel that beating the ABs consistently is new ground for Irish fans and I suppose we can cut them some slack for being disrespectful. ABs on the other hand wear the mantle of worlds best better than most, and with a team culture built on humility, formulated during Umaga’s captaincy, ABs fans tend to give respect regardless of whether it’s deserving or not
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
if an Aussie wanted to make the same point about devine it would be fair enough.
pm
Roar Rookie
Cane has sure reestablished himself the last year or too. Proving Foster etc right and a lot of us wrong. One of the best defensive and leadership performances from anyone for a good while.
pm
Roar Rookie
Every shot of the coach's box I saw he was standing up. He seemed more intense or nervous than the others and than usual
WhoDis
Roar Rookie
So as I asked, would you be fine arguing that point with Steve Devine (that he’s not a genuine Kiwi because he qualified for the All Blacks on the basis of residency)?
Locke
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure, Ireland are more dangerous when they get their multi-phase play going but not so capable of making a break from turn-over ball, so why give them the opportunity to do what they do best?
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Huge difference between a kid moving as a schoolboy and a successful professional rugby player with no Ireland connection being offered a big pay rise to relocate and fill a gap in the national team.
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
Think this is a bit arrogant. The ex-NZ players that play in the Irish team has become test standard players in Ireland not in NZ. Ireland could easily have won this game with a little luck. NZ played well to hung on, but it was not a dominant performance. When I say NZ is the favourite it is by a small margin to France and my team - the Boks.
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
Seems unfair to this Ireland team not to play in die semifinals. But then it would be unfair to France, NZ and Boks to get knocked out so early.
WhoDis
Roar Rookie
Well then as you’re the authority on the topic, at what age does someone belong to the nationality they’re playing for? OP said 5 NZers scores tries.. Aki and Gibson Park are the same as Fainga’anuku- they spent time in one country before moving to another. World Rugby considers them Irishmen, so I’m just calling the OP out on their own faulty logic. Would you have the stones to call Steve Devine an Aussie to his face, considering he played for the All Blacks and has lived in NZ since his early 20s?
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Like Barnes Gregor is often rubbish. The incidents described by MM are just a couple of examples that barnes did.. there was also Saveas at about the 5 breakdown in the last 35 or so breakdowns, barnes was just prolonging the play in an attempt to get Ireland to score a try because a 3 point penalty was insufficient. Typical and common bias by him.