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The New Zealand All Blacks and Ireland meet again in the second Test. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:05pm AEST.
Scott Barrett will return to lock for the second Test against Ireland after the withdrawal of Sam Whitelock, with Dalton Papalii coming in at No.6 in the only change to the All Blacks starting team from the 42-19 win in Auckland.
Barrett performed strongly in the opening Test win at blindside flanker, but Whitelock’s delayed onset concussion and Tupou Vaa’i’s Covid sends him back into the second row.
David Havili, who missed the first Test with Covid, remains sidelined but Will Jordan is back on the bench.
The backline is unchanged from game one and there are two uncapped players on the bench in prop Aidan Ross and halfback Folau Fakatava.
Jordan has been named on the bench in place of Braydon Ennor, leaving Jordie Barrett and Leicester Fainga’anuku as options to cover the midfield.
“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 coach Ian Foster. “We know the Irish will throw everything at us this week to keep the series alive.
“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.”
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Dalton Papalii will wear the number six jersey alongside captain Sam Cane at seven and Ardie Savea at the back of the scrum.
“The backline remains unchanged with a plan to build on existing combinations from the previous week,” Foster said.
While this is the All Blacks eighth Test match at Forsyth Barr Stadium, it will be Ireland’s first Test match at the venue.
The All Blacks have won 40 out of 46 Test matches in Dunedin, with five losses, and one draw.
Johnny Sexton has been cleared to lead Ireland despite failing a HIA during the first Test. Subsequent tests found no concussive episode.
“Johnny is a world-class rugby player,” said Ireland’s attack coach Mike Catt. “He demands high standards and ultimately you want to get to a player-driven environment. That’s what Johnny brings. He brings a lot of confidence around him too. It’s business as usual for Johnny really, but it does help, yeah. It helps everyone, us learning from him too.”
Meanwhile, Aussie Mack Hansen is set to return after missing the Eden Park loss after his bout of Covid.
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“Yeah, Mack’s cool,” said Catt.
“He’s got a real understanding of the game, a really good rugby brain. He’s exceptionally skilful too, so again we’ll see. He trained very well today so it’s nice to see him back because it is very hard for those guys who’ve been isolated for 10 days.
“They just want to get out and do more and more and more. So it’s great to have him back.”
Game Information
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEST) Live stream:Stan Sport Betting: New Zealand $1.16, Ireland $5.25 – odds via PlayUp
