All Blacks unleash new winger as Ireland chase 32-year first
Josh Moorby and Tupou Vaa’i are the big talking points from Dave Rennie’s All Blacks team to take on Ireland in an Eden Park blockbuster on Saturday night.
Moorby - usually a fullback or right winger - will make his first Test start on the left wing after impressing off the bench on debut against Italy in Wellington.
Josh Moorby of the New Zealand All Blacks is tackled. Phil Walter
The Hurricanes Super Rugby champion replaces Leroy Carter while Fehi Fineanganofo was also unavailable with a shoulder injury,
Moorby was picked in the famous black No.11 jersey ahead of Caleb Clarke, who is on the bench.
“He was so impressive (against Italy). I wouldn’t say I was surprised, I was really pleased for him,” Rennie said.
“He’s been excellent all year and for him to come on quite early and play with that sort of confidence was awesome, so it gives us a lot of confidence to throw him out there. He trained superbly, and he’s just a really good footballer. A massive engine, massive workrate, and he’s looking forward to his first start.”
Vaa’i, meanwhile, moves from lock to blindside flanker to improve New Zealand’s lineout options.
He has been picked at No.6 ahead of Peter Lakai, who is among the reserves, and the axed Wallace Sititi while Josh Lord and Patrick Tuipulotu start in the second row.
“It gives us a bigger lineout, a bigger pack. I feel he’s got the skill set, he suits what we want, and I’m keen to give him another crack there,” Rennie said.
“We’ll judge things as we go, but we’re going to come across some big packs throughout the year, and he’s athletic enough to play on the blindside, but a very good lineout forward and gives us another strong option there.”
Quinn Tupaea has been picked ahead of Billy Proctor at outside centre.
New Zealand head into the Nations Championship Test seeking to extend their unbeaten run at the Auckland venue to 53 matches, having never been toppled there in the professional era.
“I wouldn’t say pressure. We’re well aware of the threats, and they’re an excellent side who will have genuine confidence going into the game,” Rennie said.
“Clearly we’ve talked about the record at Eden Park and the record is longer than most of the age of the players on our team.
“So we’re well aware of that, we’re really excited to play there. It’s against a really high-quality opposition, and we’re building. We know we need to be better than we were last week, but we’ve prepared well and looking forward to it...
“We’re well aware that the Irish will be a tough game, they’ll be strong, and it’s at Eden Park and that’ll excite a lot of people. I wouldn’t say that we’ve highlighted the Irish game any more than the other games, but now we are because it’s right in front of us.
“And again, there’s no disrespect to them, it’s just that we’re a very new group and our focus has been on what’s in front of us.”
Rennie said Sititi had paid the price for a shocker against Italy.
“Fair to say he wasn’t at his best at the weekend, and he was pretty good off the bench the week before and there’s a lot of competition for places there,” he said.
“He’ll play a lot of footy for us this year, but he’s got a reasonably clear message around what we need to see out of him, and I’m really happy with the response we’ve got so far.”
Ireland coach Andy Farrell. AP Photo/Peter Morrison
Farrell thought Ireland may not get another chance to crack New Zealand’s extraordinary 32-year unbeaten record, which he ranks among the toughest assignments in the sport.
The All Blacks’ last loss at Eden Park was a 23-20 loss to France in 1994.
“We’re pretty lucky to be back there and have another shot at it,” Farrell told reporters after naming his team.
“It’s fantastic. I feel we’re the fortunate ones. We had that fortune in 2022, first game up, and obviously, we couldn’t get that over the line.”
Farrell said his team’s confidence was boosted by every player being available for selection going into the final game of their season, which sees a clash of sides who have won both their opening Nations Championship Tests.
He unveiled two starting changes from the team who opened their campaign with a 33-31 win over Australia two weeks ago.
Game-breaking winger Robert Baloucoune returns from the hamstring injury that ruled him out of that Sydney Test, along with last weekend’s 36-20 defeat of Japan in Newcastle, when Farrell rested many of his key players.
Veteran Tadhg Beirne, who captained the side against Japan, starts on the blindside flank after coming off the bench against the Wallabies.
Baloucoune, 28, burst on to the scene in this year’s Six Nations, impressing with his speed and footwork.
“Rob’s talent is there for all to see,” Farrell said.
Jimmy O’Brien was retained and switched to the left wing, despite the Leinster back failing to earn regular selection for his powerhouse province this season.
“Jimmy’s gone from stop-start really for Leinster and not really nailing down any type of genuine spot, whether it be fullback or wing or centre or whatever,” Farrell said.
“But for us, it’s been obvious that he’s been really on top of his game.”
There are three Kiwi exports in Ireland’s 23: veterans Jamison Gibson-Park and Bundee Aki as well as new face Sean Jansen.
NEW ZEALAND (15-1): Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Josh Moorby, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard, Ardie Savea (c), Luke Jacobson, Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Lord, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot
Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Anton Segner, Peter Lakai, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke
IRELAND (15-1): Hugo Keenan, Rob Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jimmy O’Brien, Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan (c), Tom O’Toole
Reserves: Rónan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Thomas Clarkson, Nick Timoney, Sean Jansen, Craig Casey, Ciarán Frawley, Bundee Aki
