New Zealand have made two changes for Friday night’s encounter against Ireland in Dublin.
Both are enforced, with Damian McKenzie replacing Beauden Barrett at fly-half, while hooker Asafo Aumua comes in for Codie Taylor.
Beauden Barrett and hooker Taylor were ruled out of the Aviva Stadium game following injuries sustained in last Saturday’s dramatic 24-22 victory over England.
Both players failed head injury assessments [HIAs] in the match at Twickenham. McKenzie and Aumua are replaced on the bench by George Bell and Stephen Perofeta.
Ireland also named their team on Wednesday, with prop Tadhg Furlong ruled out with a “slight hamstring strain”.
It is the first meeting between the sides since the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter- final, when the All-Blacks edged a thrilling encounter 28-24.
“This is a highly anticipated match that promises to bring all the intensity and passion that we have come to expect from these two rugby-mad nations, both on and off the field,” said New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson.
“We are really pleased with how the squad has come through this week and our focus has turned quickly to this encounter post-England. We have trained well, and the players are fresh and ready to face a fierce challenge from the Ireland team.”
New Zealand: Will Jordan; Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke; Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Tamaita Williams, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Scott Barrett (capt), Tupou Vaa’i, Wallace Sititi, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea.
Replacements: George Bell, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Pasilo Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samipeni Finau, Cam Roigard, Anton Leinert-Brown, Stephen Perofeta.
