New Zealand vs Ireland: Goodhue to start for All Blacks, Henshaw replaces Aki for Ireland

Thu, Oct 17, 2019, 10:25 AM
AAP
by AAP
Jack Goodhue will start for New Zealand. Photo: Getty Images
Jack Goodhue will start for New Zealand. Photo: Getty Images

New Zealand have left veterans Ryan Crotty and Ben Smith out of their 23 for their quarter-final against Ireland on Saturday.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has preferred Sonny Bill Williams and Jordie Barrett in a 5-3 bench, while Beauden Barrett will start at fullback and George Bridge and Sevu Reece are on the wings.

Anton Lienert-Brown and Jack Goodhue will start together in the centres for just the third time and the first time since their Bledislo Cup opener in Perth, which they lost 47-26 to Australia.

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen said there was a lift in energy in his team ahead of the sudden-death match.

"There's a lot of energy and excitement in the team which is normal for this stage of the tournament where the winner takes all. It will add extra pressure to both sides," he said.

"We feel we've selected a great mixture of talent in our 23, who are in great form, and the squad includes many players who have a lot of Rugby World Cup knockout match experience. Together with our experienced management team, that brings a deep understanding of what is needed to get the job done.

"Past Rugby World Cup history is important because of the positive or negative experiences you've had. But ultimately it is what happens on the day that counts."

Ireland's Robbie Henshaw will replace banned centre Bundee Aki for their World Cup quarter-final against defending champions New Zealand on Saturday.   Aki was banned for three games for a high tackle in Ireland's final pool match against Samoa, his World Cup coming to an end after the Irish Rugby Football Union decided Thursday not to appeal the ban.

Coach Joe Schmidt named an otherwise strong side to take on the All Blacks, with Henshaw partnering Garry Ringrose in midfield.

"There are probably four or five, maybe half-a-dozen, reasonably tight selection decisions," said Schmidt.

"You weigh up the experience, previous performances against particular opposition and combinations and you make a decision that is what you believe is the best informed you can make.

"We've tried to add up as best we can the combinations that will best serve us in this particular fixture."

New Zealand take on Ireland in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final on Saturday October 19, kicking off at 7:15pm local, 9:15pm AEDT, LIVE on Foxtel, Network Ten and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO, Rugby Xplorer and Amazon Alexa.

TEAMS

New Zealand to face Ireland

1. Joe Moody (43)

2. Codie Taylor (48)

3. Nepo Laulala (23)

4. Brodie Retallick (78)

5. Samuel Whitelock (115)

6. Ardie Savea (42)

7. Sam Cane (65)

8. Kieran Read - captain (124)

9. Aaron Smith (89)

10. Richie Mo'unga (14)

11. George Bridge (7)

12. Anton Lienert-Brown (40)

13. Jack Goodhue (11)

14. Sevu Reece (5)

15. Beauden Barrett (80)

Reserves

16. Dane Coles (66)

17. Ofa Tuungafasi (33)

18. Angus Ta'avao (11)

19. Scott Barrett (33)

20. Matt Todd (23)

21. T J Perenara (62)

22. Sonny Bill Williams (55)

23. Jordie Barrett (14)

Ireland to face New Zealand

1. Cian Healy

2. Rory Best (capt.)

3. Tadhg Furlong

4. Iain Henderson

5. James Ryan

6. Peter O'Mahony

7. Josh Van der Flier

8. CJ Stander

9. Conor Murray

10. Johnny Sexton

11. Jacob Stockdale

12. Robbie Henshaw

13. Garry Ringrose

14. Keith Earls

15. Rob Kearney

Reserves

16. Niall Scannell

17. Dave Kilcoyne

18. Andrew Porter

19. Tadhg Beirne

20. Rhys Ruddock

21. Luke McGrath

22. Joey Carbery

23. Jordan Larmour

 

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