Damian McKenzie and Asafo Aumua will begin for New Zealand of their showdown in opposition to Eire on Friday in two, injury-enforced, adjustments to the beginning XV.
McKenzie replaces flyhalf Beauden Barrett and Aumua is available in for hooker Codie Taylor after the pair suffered head accidents and needed to depart the sector throughout final weekend’s thrilling 24-22 win at Twickenham.
Each Barrett and Taylor are present process a compulsory 12-day standdown interval after failing head harm assessments.
Taylor went off early at Twickenham, with substitute Aumua taking part in the remainder of the match.
Barrett departed within the second half after an influential show, together with two conversions and a slick strive help for full-back Will Jordan.
McKenzie got here off the bench to kick a penalty and land a match-winning conversion from a good angle.
Friday’s fixture would be the first time New Zealand have confronted world primary Eire because the All Blacks’ dramatic 28-24 World Cup quarter-final win in Paris final yr.
However Eire gained a three-Check collection in New Zealand 2-1 in 2022.
“It is a extremely anticipated match that guarantees to convey all of the depth and fervour that we’ve got come to count on from these two rugby-mad nations, each on and off the sector,” mentioned New Zealand coach Scott Robertson.
Robertson, who took over after New Zealand’s agonising World Cup closing loss to arch-rivals South Africa, added: “We’re actually happy with how the squad has come by means of this week and our focus has turned rapidly to this encounter post-England.
“We’ve got skilled nicely, and the gamers are contemporary and able to face a fierce problem from the Eire staff.”
Mercurial playmaker McKenzie began the primary eight Checks of Robertson’s tenure however was moved to the bench for New Zealand’s closing Rugby Championship Check in opposition to Australia in Wellington in late September, with the extra composed Barrett favoured.
Eire coach Andy Farrell named his aspect earlier Wednesday.
© Agence France-Presse
Picture: SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP
