New Zealand v Ireland : Test 2 - Preview

Ireland Will Face The Haka Once Again This Saturday

Teams

Ireland: 

15) Rob Kearney 14) Fergus McFadden 13) Brian O'Driscoll (C) 12) Gordon D'Arcy 11) Andrew Trimble 10) Jonathan Sexton 9) Connor Murray 1) Cian Healy 2) Rory Best 3) Mike Ross 4) Dan Tuohy 5) Donnacha Ryan 6) Kevin McLaughlin 7) Sean O'Brien 8) Jamie Heaslip.

Subs Cronin, Fitzpatrick, O'Callaghan, O'Mahony, Reddan, O'Gara, Zebo

New Zealand: 

15) Israel Dagg 14) Zac Guildford 13) Conrad Smith 12) Sonny-Bill Williams 11) Julian Savea 10) Dan Carter 9)  Aaron Smith 1) Tony Woodcock 2) Andrew Hore 3) Owen Franks 4) Brodie Retallick 5) Sam Whitelock 6) Adam Thomson 7) Richie McCaw 8) Keiran Read

Subs Elliot, B. Franks, A. Williams, Cane, Weepu, Cruden, B. Smith

Key Battles

Ross v Woodcock

Mike Ross returns from injury to face perhaps the best performing prop in word rugby. Ross' last performance in an Ireland shirt was at Twickenham before being scrummaged off the park and into the injury room. On Saturday the signs are ominous that Ross will again be smashed in the scrum. If Ireland want to maintain any dignity Ross will need to put the Irish on the front foot and try to build a base for the Irish to play off.

Verdict - Woodcock

O'Brien v McCaw

New Zealand thrive off quick ball, Sean O'Brien must be on his game to slow this down not only at the base but also to slow down the magnificent Daniel Carter. O'Brien struggled with the Sotuhern Hemisphere interperatation of the breakdown law on Saturday giving away a number of penalties and just allowing New Zealand to keep ticking the score away to put the Kiwis out in front. Equally, McCaw will always slow down any teams play and the Irish need to nullify his prowess in order to build a platform for Johnny Sexton to play off. 

Verdict - McCaw

Sexton v Carter

For periods in the first test, Ireland played some lovely rugby with Sexton pushing the gain line and throwing passes which led to line breaks. Despite this Carter was able to gain the upper hand and a sublime kicking game putting the All Blacks in the right place before kicking his goals. For Ireland to hold a chance of winning on Saturday Ireland need to unlock Sexton's range of passing while putting pressure on the unflappable Carter in some form. 

Verdict - Carter

Prediction

Last week represented the gulf in class between the Kiwis and Irish, this week will be much the same. Whilst the ever impressive Brian O'Driscoll has been moved back to his favoured outside centre role, Gordon D'Arcy has been moved to the inside centre, a move which  represents the backwards nature of Irish rugby. Simply put D'Arcy is too old, too slow and not skillful enough, to make it worse, he will be facing the brutish natural talent of Sonny-Bill Williams who will run over, around and throw D'Arcy all day. This will personify the whole game, New Zealand have too much class, power and skill, whilst Ireland may show fighting spirit they just are not in the same league as the World Cup champions. 

Verdict - New Zealand win by at least 20 points.