JOE SCHMIDT HAS named his team to face the All Blacks in Saturday’s November Test at the Aviva Stadium [KO 7pm, RTÉ2/Channel 4], with the Ireland head coach making four changes to his starting XV.
After an outstanding performance off the bench last weekend against Argentina, Dan Leavy starts at openside flanker, while Rob Kearney and Garry Ringrose both return from injury.
The other change sees Devin Toner reinstated to the second row, with Iain Henderson dropping to the bench.
Robbie Henshaw, Seán O’Brien and Conor Murray were all unavailable through injury.
Kieran Marmion and Bundee Aki, who both rolled their ankle in Ireland’s record 10th straight win at the Aviva Stadium last Saturday, have come through to start.
Aki, who partners Ringrose in midfield, plays against his native country for the first time, winning his 12th Ireland cap after an excellent debut season at Test level last year.
While three of his changes were injury-enforced, the big decision for Schmidt was in the second row department and it comes as no surprise that Toner — who has played more games than any other player during the Kiwi’s tenure — is back in.
Despite Henderson’s consistent brilliance in the position, the Ulster lock is dropped to the bench as Toner’s organisation and composure at the lineout will be required to avoid a repeat of last week’s malfunctions.
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He partners the undroppable and immovable James Ryan.
Kearney’s return to the fullback position is a welcome boost, particularly given New Zealand’s aerial prowess, and the composure the 32-year-old brings in the air will be hugely significant against Damian McKenzie.
The Leinster 15 missed the games against Italy and the Pumas with a shoulder injury, but has made good progress in his comeback and is set to win his 87th cap at the weekend, and his 11th against Steve Hansen’s side.
Jordan Larmour drops to the bench, but again there is no place for Tadhg Beirne.
Ireland:
15. Rob Kearney
14. Keith Earls
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Bundee Aki
11. Jacob Stockdale
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best (captain)
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Devin Toner
5. James Ryan
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Dan Leavy
8. CJ Stander.
Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin
17. Jack McGrath
18. Andrew Porter
19. Iain Henderson
20. Josh van der Flier
21. Luke McGrath
22. Joey Carbery
23. Jordan Larmour.
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Pretty much the exact 23 I expected to see being named, slightly harsh on Beirne but his time will come, a world class 23 despite a few notable injuries. Extremely exciting mini battles all over the park. This will be my first time to see New Zealand in the flesh I cannot wait. Ireland by 5-10 fingers crossed!!!
@Ian Verdon: yeah, definitely harsh on Beirne. But Henderson didn’t do enough to get dropped Nd this wasn’t a match where we’d ever have seen rotation for the sake of it. As you say, his time will come. And yup, I actually think Ireland are going to turn them over.
@Paddington C.: Yes exactly I expect him to be given an opportunity against one of England, Wales or France in the 6 nations to see how he goes against top sides. I am sure he’ll excel but with the loss of a few key players already to injury and with the best team in the world in town this wasn’t a game to try out new things I suppose.
@Paddington C.:
Not according to Franno today. It’s very easy to get depressingly negative but he has a point. Ireland have to be up for this. NZ Are coming over to “put us in our place”. Personally I am not sure this All Black team are good enough to do that. No one has managed it for several years. ROG said it last night. We need to put three scores on them like England did before half time. That’s how you beat them.
After the return leg last time when they beat us in Dublin, we really do owe them one. I have put my money on Ireland.
@Ian Verdon: Beirne needs to be calling the lineout week in week out at Munster. If he gets that exposure then I see Beirne & Ryan as a future starting 2nd row. Joe wants basics right first – lineout, scrum & What you do in the lose is secondary
@Anton Dec: You lost me at “not according to Franno”
@Eddie Hekenui:
Happy to hear that.
@Anton Dec: the problem is when you put scores on them they get angry and that’s when they start scoring, like against South Africa last month.
@Anton Dec: We put 4 scores on them in 2013 and didn’t beat them. Stopping them from scoring, just as important.
No surprises there. Great to see Garry back, that’ll be important. Tough on Tadhg Byrne but he’ll get there. Where’s the eejit that was telling me Toner’s time had passed and he’d never start again? Dev’s impact will be massive.
@Paddington C.: Was thinking that myself after a lot of people suddenly realised how important he is last weekend…
That’s a strong team. Disappointed that Beirne isn’t there, this game was made for him but apparently form doesn’t count for much. His time will come though.
All the 23 will have to be at their best to get a result. Van der Flier did well to get in ahead of Ruddock too but they are both in great form at the moment.
@Jim Demps: Toner is probably essential given the problems that Enlgand had with Retallick at the line out. Can see what you mean about this being perfect game for Beirne but it shows our riches when we are able to bench a lion like Henderson.
@Jimmy: I suppose it goes to show that Schmidt had the team picked already and there was nothing that Beirne could have done to get selected.
To be fair Schmidt has made a career out of careful considered decisions but not to pick one of the form locks in Europe and to consistently not give him an opportunity is a mistake in my opinion. Hopefully toner and Henderson warrant their selection on Saturday because anything less than a good performance will have many people asking questions.
@Jim Demps: I disagree. Form does count which is why Hendo is there
@Jim Demps: Schmidt has 4 of the form locks in Europe. He picked the three that led Ireland to the best year in their history & whose skill sets suit the team perfectly.
@Jim Demps: form does count Jim but his form is in the lose – he’s not experienced at calling the lineout at this level & neither is Ryan. Toney & Henderson have that experience. The latter reportedly improve our scrummaging too, so it’s a no brainer! Once TB is calling the Munster lineouts week in week out for Munster and getting exposure doing it for Ireland his chance will come
@Anthony: a Hendo with a point to prove will be very explosive off the bench
@Jim Demps: Jim that’s a biased post even for you.
@Oval Digest: really? What part?
@Jim Demps: yes TB is unlucky but joe has gone with what he knows. Hendo had a bad game last week but he has performed on the big occasions. Can’t bloody wait!
@BMJF: he’s been calling the munster lineout all season, and the scarlets one previously. Also called the Irish lineouts for the Italian match. We had this series to give him a chance against some decent teams and it wasn’t taken. It’s pointless putting him out against the USA and Italy. He should have played in one of the Argentina of NZ games.
@Andrew H: he should have picked Beirne for one of the Argentina or nz games. It’s pointless saying that we don’t know if he can step up to the mark if he isn’t given the opportunity. The Italian and USA games are below champions cup level.
@Oval Digest: have to agree, because if there is one player over the last few months that does not deserve to start, it’s Earls. Maybe it’s a bit different because he is not keeping a world class player like Bernie out of the squad. Someone down the thread put it perfectly by saying, Bernie is not unlucky because he didn’t get picked, he is unlucky because he has 3 brilliant players ahead of him
@Jim Demps: It comes across as very bitter and childish. ‘Schmidt had the team picked already’ ‘there was nothing that Beirne could have done to get selected’ ‘anything less than a good performance will have many people asking questions’. It’s almost as if you’re setting yourself up to complain about the second row no matter what happens…
We know international rugby teams aren’t picked on form. If they were Best, Stander and Sexton wouldn’t be starting.
You yourself have said Beirne hasn’t been tested at this level.
We need Toner starting after last week and Ryan is our best lock. Hendo is the lucky one but is a proven test quality player to bring off the bench.
Also it’s a completely OTT to say ‘consistently not give him an opportunity’. Schmidt has played him against Italy and in Aus. He was unlikely to play last week and he’s unlucky to miss out this week.
It’s mad how in one of the least contentious team selections ever from Schmidt people can still find something to hype up and give out about…
@Oval Digest: nah relax. Youre taking fractions of sentences across a number of points. The three locks deserve to be there and if Schmidt thinks they are the right ones then so be it. Beirne should have been given game time in one of the two big games of this series to show what he can do in the big games. We are now none the wiser and the same questions will be asked come the 6 nations.
@Jim Demps: I’m not really, I’m taking pretty much your whole post!
Beirne has a right to be disappointed, but it’s also a very logical decision from Schmidt to choose his best lineout forward, best second row and a heavy hitting Lions lock for a game against the ABs, particuarly given what happened last week.
We know Beirne can hack it at this level. We saw that in Oz, and perhaps he could’ve benched last week although the turnaround from the US was probably too much.
But to say ‘anything less than a good performance will have many people asking questions’ and ‘Schmidt had the team picked already’ is nonsense. In fact I’d say bringing in Toner proves that the team wasn’t picked already wouldn’t you!
@Jim Demps: The way you are thinking about Beirne I think Cooney is in the same boat. Both been outstanding the last season but havent been given any credable gametime to dislodge the players in front of them. Expect them both to start USA game but even if they play a stromer they will not move up to even 3rd choice.
@Jim Demps: This game will be won and lost in the tight. Schmidt’s second row choices are the correct ones.
@Jim Demps: Form is a factor but not the only one. This is a team that’s just won a Grand Slam and a tour to Australia. Schmidt isn’t going to cut a few guys because of one bad performance nor should he. If Beirne keeps performing his time will come.
@William Finnegan: 2018 Players player of the year Keith Earls?
@Eddie Hekenui: it’s not about cutting players. Beirne should have seen game time in one of the big games of this series. Throwing him back out against USA next week is pointless. If he scores a hat trick and gets ten turnovers people will say sure it’s only the US of A.
@Jim Demps: Perhaps Jim if you cast your mind back to Sextons drop goal against France. That move started from a 22 drop out by Ireland that Henderson took cleanly and that was having played for a full 80 minutes. Joe doesn’t forget moments like that. It’s not a game to play Beirne. He will have plenty of opportunities.
@Jim Demps: It doesn’t matter what people say. It’s what Schmidt sees and the last few weeks in camp will do far more to advance his case than 20 minutes off the bench this weekend.
@Eddie Hekenui: you think Earls was the best irish player in 2018. Nowhere near the best irish player. There was a good few players on his Munster team that was better than him never mind across the other provinces. Looks like the players gave a good professional a gift award. Earls has done nothing over the last few months
@William Finnegan: I’ll take your word for it over all the professional rugby players in Ireland. I mean what would they know and hand out “gift awards” all the time. And I guess the fact he was voted 4th best player in the Six Nations last year was a gift too. And we should ignore the catch and run against France and vital 30 yards that gained us and the ankle tap against England to stop Elliot Daly giving them a way back into the game. And while it didn’t count for anything in the end that tackle against Italy is the sort of thing Schmidt loves.
@Eddie Hekenui: so you think Earls was better that Sexton, Murray, Furlong, Ryan, CJ, POM, Stockdale, Ringrose, Leavy or Henshaw over the last few months. You picked two moments that happened at the start of the year, if that shows good form then lots of players can feel aggrieved.
@Oval Digest: of course anything less than a good performance will have people asking questions. You think if toner or Henderson are poor that people won’t say it was a mistake?
The travel back from Chicago wasn’t too much for some of the other guys. The two McGrath’s have been involved in all 3 matches.
My point is about Beirne getting an opportunity over the two big games in the series.
@Eddie Hekenui: yes but 20 minutes off the bench could be the difference in selection. Couldn’t it? It was for toner this weekend.
@William Finnegan: Yes to some and no to others. But there’s a big gap between being better than those guys (many of whom were best in the world in their position and a couple you could say were the best in the world fullstop last year) and deserving to be dropped. Earls is far and away the best winger Ireland have and won’t be going anywhere. The ball hasn’t bounced his way in attack much but that’s the way it tends to go for right wingers. His all round game is exceptional.
@Eddie Hekenui: I was just pointing out that that award Is flawed, because Earls was nowhere near our best player last season. And has not shown great form over the last few months. I agree he should not be dropped, but not because his form right now is brilliant, but because he is trusted by Joe and has never really let him down, much like Hendo and Toner(who are both in good form btw unlike Earls). My whole point is, if Joe was to pick on form right now, Earls would be the one under most pressure not Hendo and Toner
@Jim Demps: if he was a Leinster player would you care
@TREVOR JOHNSTON: care yes. Argue as vociferously? Probably not.
@William Finnegan: you do realise that Earls has been injured for most of the year so far. He only made his comeback in the Glasgow game, just before the November internationals. So, where you have seen this bad form is anyone’s guess.
@Jim Demps: take the all blacks example.they pick their 2 strongest locks and have Barrett coming off the bench.ireland have the same which is tough on beirne but he’ll get his chance
@Jim Demps: it’s not a game to be experimenting with second rows. We have 3 guys who are tried and tested so it makes sense to go with them. It’s not fantasy football where guys get picked for big impact moments and being on the highlights reel where Beirne often is.
This is about a ferocious engine room challenge where all of the fundamentals of tight play will have to be so right before any forwards can even think about doing damage carrying ball in loose.
It’s the right call. Let’s get behind the team.
@Jim Demps: And I’m sure you’ll be the first to ask questions, not matter how they play Jim! You’ve certainly tee’d it up that way anyway!
@Jim Demps: about time you got a bit of balance in life. More to life.
@Jim Demps: Consistantly not giving an opportunity?
You obviously don’t know that Ireland only pick Irish based players.
He only started playing for Munster this season and he gets his first cap in the first Ireland match this season.
@Oval Digest: He sharpens the daggers at half time.
@Oval Digest: I’m really looking forward to the game, think that Ireland will expose a few weaknesses in the NZ team. I just feel that there was a mistake made with the selection of the locks. There’s no harm in having an opinion is there?
@TREVOR JOHNSTON: I’m not sure what that has to do with the conversation we were having
@Jim Demps: if you do not know why I think that it is sad.
@Trevor Johnston: I’m going to hazard a guess and say you know absolutely nothing about me let alone my life balance
Come on lads play the ball not the man.
Can’t be anyone too displeased at that. Our strongest side as it stands. Good impact from the bench too. Hendo a bit lucky to keep his bench spot ahead of Beirne is probably the only contentious one.
Exactly as predicted by most pundits.
@Fred McHugh: yeah, I think this is probably the strongest team currently available for selection and probably picks itself. The strongest team by the 6 Nations or this time next year will likely be different. But this right now is the right team.
Beirne v unlucky so to Conway proper full back and wing cover should earls have to move to centre larmour great potential but still a lot to learn in test rugby Conway offers more at the min in my opinion
@James O Lone: larmour is better and younger, Conway is decent but no potential
Great to see everyone else pulled through fitness-wise. Looking forward to the battle between Ringrose and Goodhue in particular.
@EK: Yeah, Goodhue is the coming man of southern hemisphere outside backs.
No big surprises. You could argue the merits of some excluded players, especially from the bench and Beirne in particular, but this looks close to out best foot forward.
not much cover for centre. if ringrose went off injured early, we’d be struggling. assume larmour wud go to wing and earls to 13….
@Paul Lynch: I’d say it’d be Larmour straight into the centre. Has played there for Ireland in a big game before.
@Paul Lynch: no, Larmour would slot into centre
@BMJF: larmour played centre when Aki went off v England I think. And played a lot of rugby at 13 in schools. Sexton can play twelve and Earl’s can slot in too.
15 I would have gone for. I would have had Beirne on the bench over Henderson. He would have given a better option off the bench.
A better option at 6 than Henderson and more abrasive around the pitch – not much between them to be fair.
@peterw: Henderson is a better ball carrier and impact coming of the bench and hes also a lion
@peterw: That’s a load of rubbish. Henderson is one of our most abrasive players. Beirne is very unlucky to behind 3 excellent second rows.
@Chris Hammond: this 100 percent
@Chris Hammond: I think Beirne has an edge over Henderson, I think he will be in front of him in terms of selection come 6 nations. Over all 4 top rate 2nd rows
@Martin Quinn: Classic Quinner. He never said any of those things.
Great line up with what’s available, toner is very welcome back and Henderson is a great option off the bench.
Game on. Let’s have it. Hope is a fickle mistress.
Will bundee aki do the hakka I wonder?
@domas1507: No.
@domas1507: I’d love to see it. When Munster played the ABs the Munster Haka sent shivers down my spine.
Considering the likes of Beirne, Ruddock, Jordi Murphy, Murray, Henshaw, Cooney are all missing, we’re in a pretty good place in terms of squad depth. Saturday 7pm cant come soon enough.
@Pete Slattery ✊: yep plus C Farrell, SOB and Conway are all good enough to start for most teams
@William Finnegan: Jaysus. Forgot about Conway. Unbelievable to have a player of his quality not able to make the team just because.
The best 23 available.
Let’s see how good they are.
I feel Schmidt’s cautiousness is welcomed with the starting 15 and there can be very little to be scrutinised but the replacements show the same cautiousness but it doesn’t reflect as well – taking carberry and porter out of the equation you could argue better/more suitable/form players for each bench spot , however it’s a good argument to have and it’s to his credit we re here – ruddock , beirne , cooney , Addison, Conway, scannell all aren’t far off surely
Jordon Murphy is a curious one – he was always the go to as he covers 6,7,8 and he’s gone off the sheet
@baw baw: *jordi
Good team – JS knows best but the team was probably picked well in advance. Only fear is that it’s a week too soon for Kearney and Ringrose. I’d say there are others managing knocks after that bruiser with Argentina as well. I don’t sound wildly optimistic but it’s just injury related. We can 100% beat this team but like anything, need to be on top of our game
Ireland are lucky to have so much talent in the second row, between Toner, Henderson, Ryan and Beirne you have a lot of options. I think the fact that they all bring something different to the table ensures a lot of versatility for Joe
@Conor HF: not forgetting Roux, Dillane, and the formidable Jean Kleyn coming down the line.
@David Finn: And the promising Gavin Thornbury, Treadwell looks to be getting back to the form that saw him called up a couple of years ago. Things are looking very rosy at second row.
What a terrible selection. Sexton is well past his best. A blind man riding a horse backwards could see that. Another flawed team from Schmidt. Ireland doomed to get beat by the “mighty” All blacks again. We should really be hammering them if the right team was picked. Sure they only beat England by a point!!!
@Rory Mcloughlin: honestly have to put my hand up and say I don’t know if you’re joking or not. But if you are it’s funny.
@Rory Mcloughlin: bit early for the booze fella
@Paddington C.: surely it’s sarcasm
@Rory Mcloughlin: WTF?
Henderson is lucky to get in ahead of Beirne.Rory Best needs a good game, his throwing is below par for line outs.At 36 he is clearly past his best he is not as effective around the park as he used to be.A lot of people saying New Zealand were sloppy in the win against England but anytime you get a win in Twickenham is a fantastic result. It’s good to see Kearney back he always raises his game in the big games.
A lot of hype over Larmour, he clearly has the makings of a fine player but 3 tries against Italy is nothing to sing about.i think people forget that the last time Craig Gilroy played for Ireland was a three try substitute appearance against Italy in 2016 Six Nations. Offense is only 50% of the game.Overall I’m quite hopeful we will win even with Wayne Barnes refereeing.
Has POM played No.8?
@John McNamara: doesn’t have the bulk
Shame not to see Zebos name there. Different rules for sexton when he moved abroad
@DG: Yeah. Plenty of cover for the positions that Zebo would play in. Not the same when Sexton was in Paris. We needed our world class 10.
@DG: it’s been a year, get over it
@DG: I’m not. He’s not up to it. A Bellend too
Hope I’m wrong but seems ludicrous In reguards beirne.