All Blacks Name Strong Side For Ireland Clash
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New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has made five changes to the side that lost Ireland in Chicago.
Out go Patrick Tuipulotu, Jerome Kaino, Ryan Crotty [injured], George Moala and Waiseke Naholo. In come Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Anton Lienert-Brown, Malakai Fekitoa and Israel Dagg.
The return of lock pairing Whitelock and Retallick comes as a huge boost for the All Blacks. The duo are widely regarded as the best second-row pairing in the world, with their presence clearly missed in Chicago.
Joe Schmidt names his side at 1.45pm today.
NEW ZEALAND (Caps in brackets)
1. Joe Moody (22)
2. Dane Coles (47)
3. Owen Franks (88)
4. Brodie Retallick (58)
5. Samuel Whitelock (82)
6. Liam Squire (7)
7. Sam Cane (39)
8. Kieran Read – captain (95)
9. Aaron Smith (56)
10. Beauden Barrett (47)
11. Julian Savea (50)
12. Anton Lienert-Brown (6)
13. Malakai Fekitoa (22)
14. Israel Dagg (59)
15. Ben Smith (59)
Replacements: Codie Taylor (13), Wyatt Crockett (56), Charlie Faumuina (44), Scott Barrett (2), Ardie Savea (10), TJ Perenara (27), Aaron Cruden (45), Waisake Naholo (10)
