Ireland determined to fight for series in NZ

An interesting encounter is expected for the second Test between the All Blacks and Ireland, this time taking place at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin. 

The manner in which the Irish commenced the opening Test at Eden Park was indicative of the fact that they have what it takes to threaten the mighty All Blacks. However, possibly due to jitters in the hostile rugby environment which is New Zealand, the men in green allowed their cohesive start to unravel as their opponents took the game by the scruff of the neck: 

A wealth of experience will have been drawn by Irish players, young and old, from that first Test, however, and an extra steeliness will have infiltrated the camp as the must-win situation rears its head in the context of the series. The All Blacks can thus expect a fierce onslaught from their rivals which may very well last much longer than the opening exchanges this time.  

All Black coach Ian Foster believes the Irish method bares much similarity to the one which they employed in Dublin last year in a match which saw the men in black toppled. 

“Probably very much the same. And that’s a compliment to them more than anything,” Foster said.  

“They have played a bit since then, whereas we hadn’t. They played the Six Nations in between those windows. We saw some changes. 

“They are a smart rugby team and they are trying to evolve what they do as well.  

“We saw a team who has got a pretty good understanding of what they want to achieve, so their clarity of roles and their intentions and how they move collectively as a group is really strong. 

“It’s probably their best strength. That makes them a hard team to break down. I’m pretty sure they will pick up a few things. I’m pretty sure they didn’t enjoy last week in terms of the result. I know they are a smart rugby team and they will come back strong.” 

Regarding the composition of his side, which looks much the same as last weekend’s, Foster said: 

"We felt making too many changes right now would take us back a cog," Foster said. "(Ireland) are going to be desperate to keep the series alive, so we won't be surprised that we're going to have to lift again." 

After shaking off the result of last week, Andy Farrell is in positive mood regarding his charges’ frame of mind: 

"To be honest the lads are in a good place now," Farrell said. "You would expect them to be but even earlier in the week there is a bit of doubt creeps in when you don't know the answers. 

"They do know the answers. They know the access they gave the All Blacks and they understand that you cannot do that because they know first-hand that they will be behind your own posts." 

The ABs will feel the significant loss of stalwart second-row Sam Whitelock who is currently observing concussion protocols and has been replaced in the number 5 jersey by Scott Barrett.

Match facts: 

• New Zealand have won three of their last six games against Ireland (L3) after remaining unbeaten in their previous 28 encounters (W27, D1); New Zealand’s last five wins against Ireland on home soil have come by an average margin of 31 points. 
•  
  New Zealand have won their last nine matches in Dunedin and have not lost in the city since June 2009 (27-22 v France); they have scored 35+ in each of their last four games in the city. 
•  
  New Zealand have led their opposition at half-time in 16 of their last 17 matches, however, they have not recovered from a losing position at the interval to record a victory since November 2018 (16-15 v England); the All Blacks have not lost a home match in which they have held the lead at half-time since August 2000 (24-23 v Australia). 
•  
  Ireland have won 12 of their last 14 matches (L2), with their last eight victories coming by an average margin of 35 points; both of their losses during that period came away from home (42-19 v New Zealand last week and 30-24 v France in February 2022). 
•  
  Ireland have won two of their last three away matches against opposition from Oceania (L1) after losing 12 in a row previously; Ireland have lost each of their previous 13 matches against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil. 
•  
  New Zealand (6.7) and Ireland (4.6) have scored more tries per game than any other Tier 1 nations in Test rugby since the beginning of 2021. 
•  
  New Zealand (623m) and Ireland (485m) have gained more metres per game than any other Tier 1 nations in Test rugby since the beginning of 2021. 
•  
  Aaron Smith recorded a hat-trick of try assists for New Zealand against Ireland last weekend, it’s the 4th time in his Test career that he’s registered 3+ try assists in a match, no other player has managed it more than twice in that time. 
•  
  Garry Ringrose (Ireland) has made dominant contact on 51 of his carries in Test rugby since the beginning of 2021, 11 more than any other Tier 1 player in that time and 15 more than New Zealand’s best Quinn Tupaea (36). 
•  
  Jordie Barrett (New Zealand) slotted 6/6 kicks against Ireland in the opening Test of this series, no other Tier 1 player attempted more without missing at the weekend (Noah Lolesio also 6/6); in fact, it’s the most Barrett has ever attempted in a Test match without missing, with his previous best being 5/5 v South Africa in September last year.