Ireland will be looking for a second successive victory against New Zealand after they put in a colossal performance against the Kiwis in the autumn.
The All Blacks have lost their last two Test matches, a memorable victory for Ireland and a hammering at the hands of France. Their last victory was against Italy on November 6, 2021, when they won 47-9.
Ian Foster's side will be involved in the Rugby Championship during August and September, where they will take on the world champions South Africa, Argentina and Australia. So the New Zealanders will need to have a strong series against the Irish if they have any hope of going into the summer tournament with momentum.
The Irish, meanwhile, have won three of the past five meetings between the sides but have never been victorious on New Zealand soil. They head into the game off the back of beating New Zealand in November and a strong Six Nations campaign, but will have taken a confidence knock with their defeat against the Maori All Blacks earlier this week.
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Here's everything you need to know about the match:
What time is All Blacks v Ireland kick-off?
Ireland v New Zealand kicks off at 8.05am UK time in Auckland on Saturday, July 2, at a sold-out Eden Park in Auckland. The All Blacks have not lost at the ground since 1994.
What TV channel is New Zealand v Ireland on? What about live streaming?
New Zealand v Ireland will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Arena and Sky Sports Action. You can live stream the game with a NOW TV subscription, which starts at £11.99 a month, or you can pay for a day pass.
What's the New Zealand v Ireland team news?
Despite their preparations being disrupted by Covid, the All Blacks have named a strong side with Crusaders winger Leicester Fainga'anuku making his debut while his team-mate Scott Barrett features at blindside flanker despite his usual lock position.
Chiefs flanker Pita Gus Sowakula is also in line to get his first cap for the All Blacks, appearing on the replacements bench. Three Barrett brothers start the Test match: Jordie at No. 15, Beauden at No. 10 and Scott at No. 6.
As for the visitors, ten of the players who started when Ireland beat New Zealand last year feature in the matchday 15 for Andy Farrell's men as the Irish look to make it two out of two against the All Blacks. Wing Keith Earls is the only player to retain a starting spot following the midweek warm-up defeat to the Maori All Blacks.
New Zealand-born duo Jamison Gibson-Park and James Lowe both start the match, while the ever-present Johnny Sexton starts at No. 10 to captain the side. British and Irish Lion Jack Conan features on the bench. Ireland were forced into a late change after replacement prop Finlay Bealham tested positive for Covid-19. Tom O'Toole replaced Bealham on the bench.
All Blacks: 15. Jordie Barrett, 14. Sevu Reece, 13. Rieko Ioane, 12. Quinn Tapaea, 11. Leicester Fainga'anuku, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. Aaron Smith, 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. Scott Barrett, 7. Sam Cane (capt), 8. Ardie Savea.
Replacements: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Pita Gus Sowakula, 20. Dalton Papili, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Richie Mo'unga, 23. Braydon Ennor.
Ireland: 15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Keith Earls, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. James Lowe, 10. Johnny Sexton (capt), 9. Jamison Gibson-Park, 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Tadgh Furlong, 4. Tadgh Beirne, 5. James Ryan, 6. Peter O'Mahony, 7. Josh van der Flier 8. Caelan Doris.
Replacements: 16. Dave Heffernan, 17. Tom O'Toole, 18. Cian Healy, 19. Kieran Treadwell, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Conor Murray, 22. Joey Carbery, 23. Bundee Aki.
Who is the New Zealand v Ireland referee?
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (RFU), Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
What have the coaches said?
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell: "They're a pretty good side! I know they have one or two injuries, and so have we. But at the same time I think they could pick four teams in New Zealand, they will be unbelievably hard to compete against. We are under no illusions what we are up against at the weekend."
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster: "It’s the first time [Scott Barrett] has started for us [at No. 6] but he’s filled in a couple of times there. He’s also played for the Crusaders there. We know that he can do it. He’s one of the form players in Super Rugby in the last four to six weeks. He’s on top of his game."
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