All Blacks: Dalton Papalii starts as Scott Barrett slots back into the second-row for the second Test against Ireland

Dylan Coetzee 07 Jul 2022 6:55 AM

Dalton Papalii during warm up before the 2021 Rugby Autumn Nations Series match between Italy and All Blacks/New Zealand at the Olimpic Stadium (Stadio Olimpico) in Rome, Italy, on November 6, 2021. (Photo by Lorenzo Di Cola/NurPhoto)

Blues skipper Dalton Papalii will start on the blindside flank for New Zealand against Ireland in Saturday’s second Test in Dunedin.

Papalii will be joined by captain Sam Cane and the robust Ardie Savea in what looks to be an exciting loose trio.

Early end to Scott Barrett experiment

With All Blacks veteran Sam Whitelock ruled out through a delayed concussion, coach Ian Foster’s experiment of giving Scott Barrett the six shirt ends as the Crusaders star moves into the second-row to partner Brodie Retallick.

There are no other changes to the starting line-up as George Bower, Codie Taylor and Ofa Tu’ungafasi continue in the front-row after a solid performance in the set-piece last weekend.

Veterans Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett make up a half-back pairing with over 200 Test caps between them as they look to build on an influential performance in the first Test. Quinn Tupaea and Rieko Ioane also continue after last week’s strong showing in the midfield.

Leicester Fainga’anuku retains his place in the starting side after a promising debut last time out. Sevu Reece and Jordie Barrett join the speedster to make up the back three.

On the bench, the exciting scrum-half Folau Fakatava is set to make his Test debut with Richie Mo’unga and the returning Will Jordan, the other backline substitutes.

Aidan Ross is also poised to earn his first All Blacks cap off the bench and is joined by Angus Ta’avao and Samisoni Taukei’aho as the other front-row replacements.

Patrick Tuipulotu returns to the squad after yet another injury in the second-row this week for the All Blacks, while Pita Gus Sowakula looks to build on a try-scoring debut from the bench.

Foster was happy with the victory last weekend but knows his side need to perform even better to get a win in the second Test.

Laid a foundation

“While I was delighted at how we performed and the leadership shown in the first test match, we will need to really lift and improve in some key areas,” Foster said.

“We know the Irish will throw everything at us this week to keep the series alive. We’ve again had challenges this week, but we feel this team has laid a foundation to build on and is desperate to improve against a very determined Irish side.”

New Zealand: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Dalton Papalii, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Pita Gus Sowakula, 21 Folau Fakatava, 22 Richie Mo’unga, 23 Will Jordan

Date: Saturday, July 9
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: 19:05 local (08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (England), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Tom Foley (Wales)