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Summer Tour Second Test: New Zealand v Ireland

James Lowe is supported by Robbie Henshaw during Ireland's first Test against New Zealand at Eden Park last Saturday ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Ireland play at ‘the Glasshouse’ in Dunedin for the first time since the 2011 Rugby World Cup, as they look to avenge last week’s 42-19 defeat to New Zealand and take the series to a deciding game.

2022 SUMMER TOUR SECOND TEST: Saturday, July 9

NEW ZEALAND v IRELAND, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 7.05pm local time/8.05am Irish time (live Sky Sports Action/Main Event/RTÉ 2fm/IRFU Live Blog)

Team News: Head coach Andy Farrell has made one change to the Ireland team for the second Test against New Zealand which takes place at a sold-out Forsyth Barr Stadium.

After a positive Covid-19 test at the outset of the tour, a fully-recovered Mack Hansen returns on the right wing, joining James Lowe, who turns 30 tomorrow, and full-back Hugo Keenan in the back-three.

Captain Jonathan Sexton has passed his HIA tests and will be partnered again by Jamison Gibson-Park, with the centre pairing of Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw also retained.

Young hooker Dan Sheehan makes his fifth successive start, packing down with Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong in the front row. Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan complete the tight five.

Peter O’Mahony, one of the survivors from Ireland’s last tour of New Zealand 10 years ago, combines once more with Leinster duo Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris in the back row.

Rob Herring and Finlay Bealham, who were both ruled out of the first Test, return to be named amongst the replacements alongside Cian Healy, Kieran Treadwell, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery and Bundee Aki.

“There’s all sorts of different ramifications that go into selection, sometimes players probably have not performed to the standards they judge themselves on,” said Farrell.

“To not give people a chance to correct that is sometimes missing an opportunity, so there’s a little bit of that. Some people are unlucky probably not to start because they had good impact off the bench, etc. They understand that as well.

The lads are in a good place. Thursday before the Test match, you’d expect them to be, but even early in the week. There’s a bit of doubt creeps in when you don’t know the answers, but they know the answers, they know the bits they need to get right.

“They know the access they gave the All Blacks and they understand you can’t do that because they know first half you’ll be behind your own posts.

“There have been a few things to fix like there is in every week, but we’ve had a good training week.”

On playing under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium, he added: “We all know it suits the All Blacks. Every game I’ve watched played at this stadium has been fantastic. It’s always quick when we’ve been there in the past.

“I’ve coached there a good few times now, and it’s always been quick and the atmosphere is fantastic. It’s not the biggest of stadiums, but the atmosphere is electric because of the roof.

“I expect more of what we’ve seen in Super Rugby, and when the All Blacks have played there in the past, whether it’s against the Lions or any other international side. It will be quick and the ball will be fizzing around, I’m sure.”

The second Test showdown will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action/Main Event and RTÉ 2fm. You can follow all the action on our IRFU Live Blog and social channels.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand team contains one personnel change and a positional switch owing to the absence of veteran lock Sam Whitelock (delayed onset concussion).

With Tupou Vaa’i also ruled out, the versatile Scott Barrett reverts to the second row alongside Brodie Retallick, who takes on the responsibility of lineout caller.

Crusaders flanker Dalton Papali’i will wear the number 6 jersey, while uncapped duo Aidan Ross and Folau Fakatava feature on the replacements bench along with Will Jordan who returns following his bout of Covid.

“While I was delighted at how we performed and the leadership shown in the first Test match, we will need to really lift and improve in some key areas,” said All Blacks head coach Ian Foster.

“We know the Irish will throw everything at us. We’ve again had challenges this week, but we feel this team has laid a foundation to build on and is desperate to improve against a very determined Irish side.”

NEW ZEALAND: Jordie Barrett (Taranaki/Hurricanes); Sevu Reece (Tasman/Crusaders), Rieko Ioane (Auckland/Blues), Quinn Tupaea (Waikato/Chiefs), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Tasman/Crusaders); Beauden Barrett (Taranaki/Blues), Aaron Smith (Manawatu/Highlanders); George Bower (Otago/Crusaders), Codie Taylor (Canterbury/Crusaders), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Northland/Blues), Brodie Retallick (Hawke’s Bay/Chiefs), Scott Barrett (Taranaki/Crusaders), Dalton Papali’i (Counties Manukau/Blues), Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty/Chiefs) (capt), Ardie Savea (Wellington/Hurricanes).

Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho (Waikato/Chiefs), Aidan Ross (Bay of Plenty/Chiefs), Angus Ta’avao (Auckland/Chiefs), Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland/Toyota Verblitz), Pita Gus Sowakula (Taranaki/Chiefs), Folau Fakatava (Hawke’s Bay/Highlanders), Richie Mo’unga (Canterbury/Crusaders), Will Jordan (Tasman/Crusaders).

IRELAND: Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster); Mack Hansen (Connacht), Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster), James Lowe (Leinster); Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) (capt), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster), James Ryan (UCD/Leinster), Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster), Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster), Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster).

Replacements: Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht), Kieran Treadwell (Ballymena/Ulster), Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster), Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Munster), Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht).

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (England), Jordan Way (Australia)
Television Match Official: Tom Foley (England)

Pre-Match Quotes: Jonathan Sexton (Ireland) –

If you can win the second Test, the momentum always swings to you and you feel like you’ve got the ascendancy. But we haven’t really spoken about the series.

“It’s really just getting back on the horse and making sure we put our best foot forward. We know New Zealand will improve as well, so we need to realise that.

“But at this level, even 7-5 down (during the first Test), we are attacking in their 22, we’ve got a bit of an overlap or a half chance and suddenly we end up 14-5 down.

“That’s the small margins but they’re the details that get exposed against the best, and these guys are the best. We’ve talked about ways that we need to improve. Now it’s all about us going out and implementing them.”

Sam Cane (New Zealand) –

As soon as we got down here (to Dunedin), got settled in and stuck into the review, it is always quite energising highlighting, and looking at areas where we can be better, and where we need to make some shifts.

“Sammy (Whitelock) was awesome last weekend, he became the second most-capped All Black of all-time which was hugely impressive. We will no doubt miss his leadership and what he brings.

“We were lucky we managed to have a real good 20 minutes in the back end of the first half (last Saturday) when we put some points on.

“But if you look at the rest of the (first) Test it was fairly even. We know Ireland will come out and will have lifted their game from last week.”

Pre-Match Links –

‘It’s All On The Line’ As Furlong And Ireland Look To Level Series

O’Mahony: It’s Another Opportunity To Show What We Can Do

Ryan Calls For ‘Big Response’ As Ireland Bid To Bounce Back

In Pics: Ireland Captain’s Run In Dunedin

Sexton Seeking ‘Momentum-Swinging’ Performance And Result

Recent Meetings –

2019: Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final: New Zealand 46 Ireland 14, Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo

2021: Autumn Nations Series: Ireland 29 New Zealand 20, Aviva Stadium

2022: Summer Tour First Test: New Zealand 42 Ireland 19, Eden Park, Auckland

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