The All Blacks will play Ireland in Dublin on Saturday for the first time since their epic World Cup encounter last year. It was one of the all-time classics in Paris – New Zealand once again breaking Irish hearts with a 27-24 victory.
But it has transpired that there was genuine bad blood between the two teams, with former captain Johnny Sexton revealing in his autobiography that he and Rieko Ioane had an ugly spat after the final whistle. Gregor Paul looks at how this conflict began and escalated.

Technical issues in Dublin means there won't be a live stream from Scott Robertson. But stay tuned. We'll have his explanations for his selections hot off the press from Ireland this morning.

"What the All Blacks would give for a safe pair of experienced hands to step in," writes Liam Napier.
"But with Dane Coles retired and Samisoni Taukei’aho injured until next year, Robertson will turn to Asafo Aumua and George Bell against Ireland."

The All Blacks team that last lined up against Ireland, at the World Cup. Players in bold will play this weekend.

1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Scott Barrett, 6 Shannon Frizell, 7 Sam Cane (c), 8 Ardie Savea, 9 Aaron Smith, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 11 Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Will Jordan, 15 Beauden Barrett.

Replacements:
16 Dane Coles, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Samuel Whitelock, 20 Dalton Papali'i, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown.

And the Irish team from that quarter-final:

1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 5 Iain Henderson, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Johnny Sexton (c), 11 James Lowe, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Mack Hansen, 15 Hugo Keenan 

Replacements:

16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Joe McCarthy, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Jimmy O’Brien.

No Codie Taylor or TJ Perenara. 

The All Blacks coach will talk about his selections in a press conference in just over 30 minutes.

Asafo Aumua is the only All Black to have appeared in every test in 2024. He'll make his 12th straight appearance and his third start of the season at hooker.

Sam Cane will make his seventh straight start going back to the first test in South Africa.

“This is a highly anticipated match that promises to bring all the intensity and passion that we have come to expect from these two rugby-mad nations, both on and off the field. 

“We are really pleased with how the squad has come through this week and our focus has turned quickly to this encounter post-England.  We have trained well, and the players are fresh and ready to face a fierce challenge from the Ireland team.” 

Both changes to the All Blacks are injuring enforced. Cortez Ratima retains the starting halfback role with Cam Roigard on the bench. 

The wings remain the same as well.

Just the two changes to the starting 15 with Asafo Aumua in for Codie Taylor and Damian McKenzie at 10 for Beuaden Barrett.

Both Taylor and Barrett failed HIA tests during the win over England and have a stand-down period for that. 

On the bench George Bell is the replacement hooker while Stephen Perofeta takes McKenzie's spot in the 23 jersey.