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In selections which will please many people, the All Blacks have dropped Piri Weepu and Ali Williams to the bench and left Ma’a Nonu out of the 22 man squad to face the Irish.
The exciting Aaron Smith starts at halfback, Brodie Rettalick gets a crack at lock and Sonny Bill Williams gets a starting spot in the centres.
The wings of Julian Savea and Zac Guildford are young and inexperienced, but packed full of potential.
Looking through the starting fifteen, this is a team picked on form. All are players who have performed well throughout this Super Rugby season and there is a great blend of youth and experience.
If they bring their Super Rugby form into this game, the team could do brilliant things.
Steve Hansen gets two thumbs up from me. This is a side that could do a lot of damage. In form players have been rewarded rather than just taking the safe option of experience.
The side is as follows:
1.Tony Woodcock
2.Andrew Hore
3.Owen Franks
4.Brodie Retallick
5.Sam Whitelock
6.Victor Vito
7.Richie McCaw
8.Kieran Read
9.Aaron Smith
10.Daniel Carter
11.Julian Savea
12.Sonny Bill Williams
13.Conrad Smith
14.Zac Guildford
15.Israel Dagg.
Reserves
16.Hika Elliot
17.Ben Franks
18.Ali Williams
19.Adam Thomson
20.Piri Weepu
21.Aaron Cruden
22.Ben Smith.
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.