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The teams for the historic match between New Zealand and Ireland at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday have been set. For the first time on American soil the two Tier 1 nations will go head-to-head in the first of two tests set to be played between them, the second to come two weeks from now at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. Both teams have named strong teams with only injury preventing full strength selection.
New Zealand have made a half-dozen changes from the team that beat Australia at Eden Park on October 22. The absence of star second row pairing Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock as well as the experienced Luke Romano mean that Patrick Tu’ipulotu starts with Jerome Kaino named at lock for the first time in his test career. Liam Squire fills in on the blindside and fit-again Sam Cane replaces Matt Todd on the openside flank.
Aaron Smith returns at halfback having served his penance for an off-the-field incident that saw him stood down for the past three tests. George Moala replaces Anton Lienert-Brown at outside center and Waisake Naholo is on the right wing with Israel Dagg dropping out. Uncapped Canterbury second row Scott Barrett – brother of Beauden – is named among the reserves where Auckland prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi steps in for Wyatt Crockett.
Ireland have gone one step further with seven changes to the starting lineup that lost narrowly to the Springboks in Port Elizabeth. Tadhg Furlong runs out at tighthead prop with Mike Ross left out of the squad completely, and Donnacha Ryan replaces the injured Iain Henderson in the second row. The back row is unchanged with Jordi Murphy preferred to Josh van der Flier on the flank and Lions tourist Cian Healy is recalled to the bench to take the squad vacancy left by Ross.
The team is given a major boost at flyhalf by the return of Jonathan Sexton and the Six Nations pairing of Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne is restored in the midfield. Simon Zebo and Rob Kearney provide more Lions experience on the left wing and fullback respectively. Two uncapped backs are among the reserves in the form of Leinster duo Joey Carbery and Garry Ringrose.
The All Blacks have won 18 consecutive test matches – a Tier 1 record – and are now chasing the World Record of 24 set by Cyprus. Ireland have never beaten New Zealand in 28 attempts, with one draw recorded in 1973. Their last meeting saw New Zealand escape with a 24-22 win at the Aviva Stadium in November 2013 after a try by Ryan Crotty in stoppage time allowed Aaron Cruden to kick the winning conversion at the final whistle.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time. At this time there is no live broadcast available in the USA with NBC Sports Network to air the match on tape delay at 8pm Eastern.
NEW ZEALAND
1 Joe Moody 2 Dane Coles 3 Owen Franks 4 Patrick Tu’ipulotu 5 Jerome Kaino 6 Liam Squire 7 Sam Cane 8 Kieran Read (capt.) 9 Aaron Smith 10 Beauden Barrett 11 Julian Savea 12 Ryan Crotty 13 George Moala 14 Waisake Naholo 15 Ben Smith
16 Codie Taylor 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi 18 Charlie Faumuina 19 Scott Barrett 20 Ardie Savea 21 TJ Perenara 22 Aaron Cruden 23 Malakai Fekitoa
IRELAND
1 Jack McGrath 2 Rory Best (capt.) 3 Tadhg Furlong 4 Donnacha Ryan 5 Devin Toner 6 CJ Stander 7 Jordi Murphy 8 Jamie Heaslip 9 Conor Murray 10 Jonathan Sexton 11 Simon Zebo 12 Robbie Henshaw 13 Jared Payne 14 Andrew Trimble 15 Rob Kearney
16 Sean Cronin 17 Cian Healy 18 Finlay Bealham 19 Ultan Dillane 20 Josh van der Flier 21 Kieran Marmion 22 Joey Carbery 23 Garry Ringrose
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
Assistants: Luke Pearce (RFU) & Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (RFU)
