All Blacks team to face Ireland - Dave Rennie makes four changes

Rennie has made four changes and one positional change to the starting fifteen that beat Italy last weekend. Tupou Vaa’i shifts from lock to blindside flanker, while Josh Lord and Patrick Tuipulotu start at lock.

In the backs, midfielder Quinn Tupaea returns to the starting line-up, and Josh Moorby has been promoted from the bench to start at wing after an impressive debut in Wellington.

Recent debutants Anton Segner and Xavier Numia will also have the opportunity to add a second cap from the bench. Numia will be joined by Asafo Aumua and Fletcher Newell in the reserve front row.

Peter Lakai and Caleb Clarke also return to the 23, adding to a bench full of impact players.

“Ireland have been one of the best sides in the world for a number of years now. They are very experienced and well-coached and will have belief on the back of their recent success here. We are well aware of the challenge they pose.

“We have selected a strong team that allows some of the combinations we have tested to continue building, and rewards players who have impressed over the last two rounds, including some of our recent debutants,” Rennie said.

“We know how important our bench will be against a team as tenacious as Ireland, so have selected players who we know are capable of making an impact and influencing the course of the game.”

Saturday 18 July: All Blacks vs Ireland, 19:10PM (NZST) (07:10am UK and Ireland time).

(Test caps in brackets)

Unavailable due to injury: Fehi Fineanganofo (shoulder); Leroy Carter (shoulder)

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