The\u00a0All Blacks\u2019\u00a0selectors have named their team to play\u00a0Ireland\u00a0at\u00a0Chicago’s Soldier Field stadium\u00a0this\u00a0weekend, which kicks off their\u00a0Northern Tour against the four home nations.\u00a0The team includes just four changes to the side that beat the Wallabies in Perth in the final round of The Rugby Championship.\u00a0<\/p>\n
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson’s search for the ideal blend of explosiveness and skill in the loose forwards, and midfield, has rocketed Peter Lakai [pictured] and Quinn Tupaea ahead of the challengers for their jobs for the test against Ireland in Chicago.<\/p>\n
Ethan de Groot returns\u00a0from\u00a0concussion to join Fletcher Newell and Codie Taylor in the starting front row. This sees\u00a0Tamaiti\u00a0Williams\u00a0move to the bench where he will play an impact role alongside fellow front-rowers Pasilio Tosi and Samisoni\u00a0Taukei\u2019aho.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The only other change to the forwards is on the bench, with\u00a0lock\u00a0Josh Lord coming into the side to replace the injured Patrick Tuipulotu.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the backs, Beauden Barrett returns from a shoulder injury to start at first-five eighth,\u00a0and Caleb Clarke returns from his ankle injury to take the\u00a0left wing.\u00a0Leicester\u00a0Fainga\u2019anuku\u00a0and Damian McKenzie\u00a0move into the reserves to\u00a0join halfback Cortez Ratima as the\u00a0back line cover.\u00a0<\/p>\n
All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson said the squad has prepared well in Chicago this week for what they know will be a\u00a0tough match against Ireland.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an awesome match to kick off our Northern Tour with. Ireland\u00a0are\u00a0a strong side and will have a loud contingent of supporters here in Chicago, so we are prepared for a passionate clash on the Soldier Field stage. We have had\u00a0a\u00a0great week\u00a0together leading up to the Test and now we are looking forward to the contest on Saturday afternoon.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
All Blacks match-day 23\u00a0(Test caps in brackets):\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
1.\u202fEthan de Groot (37)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\n2.\u00a0Codie Taylor (103)\u00a0
\n3.\u202fFletcher Newell (31)\u00a0
\n4.\u202fScott Barrett (86) (Captain)\u00a0
\n5.\u00a0Fabian\u00a0Holland (9)\u00a0
\n6.\u202fSimon Parker (5)\u00a0\u00a0
\n7.\u202fArdie Savea (103) (Vice-Captain)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\n8.\u00a0Peter Lakai (5)\u00a0
\n9.\u202fCam\u00a0Roigard\u00a0(14)\u00a0\u00a0
\n10.\u202fBeauden Barrett (141)\u202f\u00a0\u00a0
\n11.\u202fCaleb Clarke (30)\u00a0
\n12.\u202fJordie Barrett (77) (Vice-Captain)\u202f\u00a0\u00a0
\n13.\u202fQuinn\u00a0Tupaea\u00a0(21)\u00a0
\n14.\u202f\u00a0Leroy Carter (3)\u00a0\u00a0
\n15.\u202f\u00a0Will Jordan (50)\u00a0\u00a0\u2028\u00a0\u00a0
\n16.\u202f\u00a0Samisoni\u00a0Taukei\u2019aho\u00a0(39)\u00a0\u00a0
\n17.\u202fTamaiti\u00a0Williams (23)\u00a0\u00a0
\n18.\u00a0Pasilio\u00a0Tosi (12)\u00a0
\n19.\u202fJosh Lord (8)\u00a0
\n20.\u202f\u202fWallace\u00a0Sititi\u00a0(15)\u00a0
\n21.\u202fCortez Ratima (18)\u00a0\u00a0
\n22.\u202fLeicester\u00a0Fainga\u2019anuku\u00a0(8)\u00a0
\n23.\u202f\u00a0Damian McKenzie (70)\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
MATCH FACTS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tThe All Blacks have played Ireland 38 times since the Originals first played Ireland in Dublin in 1905, winning 15-0.\u00a0
\n\tIreland\u2019s first ever win over the All Blacks was 40-29 at Soldier Field in Chicago in 2016.\u00a0New Zealand was unbeaten against Ireland for 111 years before that loss.\u00a0
\n\tSince then, Ireland have won a further four Tests in 2018, 2021, and twice in 2022.\u00a0The All Blacks have picked up five wins over the same period, including the\u00a02023\u00a0Rugby World Cup\u00a0quarter-final and last year\u2019s match in Dublin.\u00a0
\n\tThe teams have met four\u00a0previous\u00a0times on neutral soil, with the All Blacks\u00a0recording\u00a03 wins and 1 loss\u00a0(Ellis Park, Johannesburg at the 1995 RWC;\u00a0Soldier Field, Chicago in 2016;\u00a0Tokyo Stadium, Japan at the 2019 RWC;\u00a0Stade de France, Saint Denis at the 2023 RWC).\u00a0
\n\tJordie Barrett is one point ahead of brother Beauden in points against Ireland; 49 points against 48.\u00a0\u00a0They rank third and fourth on the all-time list, behind Dan Carter (87 points) and Andrew Mehrtens (81 points).\u00a0
\n\tWill Jordan is equal highest All Blacks try-scorer against Ireland with 5 tries, alongside Frank Bunce and Doug Howlett.\u00a0\u00a0Ardie Savea leads the forwards with 4 tries.\u00a0
\n\t\u00a0
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