Rugby – Team News:Not surprisingly Declan Kidney has made considerable changes (11 to be precise) from the side that laboured to victory over Samoa as Ireland prepare for their sternest test of the autumn series against the formidable All Blacks on Saturday.
The positive news is Rob Kearney has recovered from the injury he sustained during Ireland’s opening test defeat against South Africa and slots back into the side at fullback with Luke Fitzgerald reverting to the left wing.
Gordon D'Arcy resumes his provincial partnership alongside Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll, while Jonathan Sexton and Eoin Reddan, preferred to Ronan O'Gara and Peter Stringer, are also recalled to the starting XV.
O'Gara played a lead role when he came off the bench in the latter stages against the All Blacks and kicked 15 out of Ireland's 20 points against Samoa, but Sexton got the nod.
Up front Tom Court switches to tighthead with Cian Healy, who has recovered from a dead-leg picked up towards the end of the Samoa game, and Rory Best completing the frontrow. Donncha O'Callaghan will be partnered by Mick O'Driscoll in the secondrow, while Stephen Ferris and David Wallace join Jamie Heaslip to complete the line up as Ireland seek their first test win against the All Blacks.
Donnacha Ryan picked up a three week suspension for a stamping offence during the Samoa game and was therefore unavailable for selection.
With the exception of Court, who came in for the injured Tony Buckley, it is the same 14 who started against South Africa that will start against the All Blacks on Saturday.
“There were some difficult decisions because we made a lot of changes for last week (against Samoa) but we always said we wanted to build a panel," explained Kidney at today's announcement. "And in building a panel that's never as easy as throwing a few names up in the air and see who comes down for it.
"We looked at it individually and collectively, and by and large, it's the same team that went out against South Africa, except Tom is in and gets his opportunity."
The final scoreline against South Africa failed to paint an accurate picture of a dispiriting performance from Ireland and Kidney felt it important to issue a vote of confidence.
“We know our error count against South Africa and that’s what we’ve been trying to rectify,” said the head coach. “It’s why we’ve gone with this team. The players deserve another go. Sometimes you must back players and that’s what we’re doing.”
Kidney also defended his selection Reddan and Sexton, adding it was not the right time to look at partnership between Stringer and the latter.
“Jonathan and Peter is a combination that hasn’t had time yet, but there are lots of combinations I’d like to try,” he said. “Unfortunately international rugby doesn’t allow you to do a lot of experimentation. We’ve done some of it. Peter has 93 caps so I know what he brings to the table. Now it’s time to find out new things.”
Ireland lacked conviction against Samoa, a team ranked 11th in the world, and have been fielding questions on their obvious lack of confidence since. O’Gara admitted shortly after the match that self-belief had taken a battering, though every player to have spoken on the subject has subsequently denied it is in an issue.
Kidney today added his own take on the matter as Ireland target a first victory against the All Blacks in 24 attempts.
“I’ve never met anyone who is 100 per cent confident,” he said. “Everybody doubts their ability, so by definition you could say everyone in the world lacks confidence. Heading into every match you need a mixture of confidence and ability. If you don’t have fear, you won’t front up physically.
“The more matches you win, the more confidence you have, so you have to work on the fear factor. If you lose, you want to make sure the fear doesn’t outbalance the confidence. I’ve already alluded to the anxiety of trying too hard and I know how hard these guys are working.”
In the New Zealand camp Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina will become the most-capped All Blacks after being named in the starting line up for Saturday’s test at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off: 5.30pm).
New Zealand captain McCaw and fullback Muliaina will each be play their 93rd tests, having equalled former skipper Sean Fitzpatrick's record last weekend against Scotland.
Coach Graham Henry made five changes from the team that thrashed Scotland last weekend, bringing in Tom Donnelly, Jerome Kaino, Andy Ellis, Ma'a Nonu and Cory Jane.
"One of the aims of this tour is to build the foundations of the team for the future so there have only been a few changes from the team that beat Scotland," Henry said. "We were pleased with the physicality and accuracy shown against the Scots and we will look to improve on that this weekend. However, the team also knows they will be up against a very good Irish team which they respect."
Ireland team (v New Zealand):C Healy, R Best, T Court, D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll, S Ferris, D Wallace, J Heaslip, R Kearney, T Bowe, B O'Driscoll (C), G D'Arcy, L Fitzgerald, J Sexton, E Reddan. Replacements: S Cronin, J Hayes, D Toner, D Leamy, P Stringer, R O'Gara, K Earls.
New Zealand team (v Ireland):M Muliaina, C Jane, C Smith, M Nonu, H Gear, D Carter, A Ellis; K Read, R McCaw (C), J Kaino, T Donnelly, B Thorn, O Franks, H Elliot, T Woodcock. Replacements: A Hore, J Afoa, A Boric, L Messam, A Mathewson, S Donald, S Bill Williams.