All Blacks team: Scott Robertson gets double backline boost as head coach makes another big call at centre for Ireland revenge mission

The All Blacks have been boosted by the return of Beauden Barrett and Caleb Clarke for their huge encounter against Ireland in Chicago.

Scott Robertson has, perhaps unsurprisingly, stuck with the tried and tested for their opening game of the November internationals after finishing the Rugby Championship with successive victories over the Wallabies.

Barrett and Clarke both started in their 33-24 triumph over Australia at Eden Park but picked up injuries which forced them to miss the reverse fixture in Perth.

However, they have recovered from their injury issues and will start at fly-half and wing, respectively, with Damian McKenzie and Leicester Fainga’anuku dropping to the bench.

McKenzie and Fainga’anuku have been joined among the replacements by Tamaiti Williams, who is the only other alteration to the All Blacks run-on side that defeated the Wallabies away from home earlier this month.

Another big call at centre

Robertson has therefore opted to keep Quinn Tupaea at centre after the Chiefs star impressed with his two-try showing in Perth.

The head coach had said Billy Proctor was only being rested for that match, having been “banged up” following a heavy schedule, but Tupaea has been rewarded for his performance last time out.

As a result, Proctor doesn’t even make the 23 with Jordie Barrett partnering Tupaea while Fainga’anuku is the option off the bench.

Clarke joins Leroy Carter and Will Jordan in the back three while Barrett once again partners Cam Roigard in the key decision-making positions.

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Up front, the loose trio from Perth remains as Peter Lakai starts ahead of Wallace Sititi at number eight and joins flankers Ardie Savea and Simon Parker in the back-row.

An injury to Tupou Vaa’i means that Fabian Holland gets to partner captain Scott Barrett in the engine room, while Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor and De Groot are the front-row trio.

On the bench, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Williams and Pasilio Tosi provide heavy-duty front-row options, with Josh Lord and Sititi the other forward cover.

Cortez Ratima, Fainga’anuku and McKenzie are the backline options as the All Blacks begin their Grand Slam quest and look to gain revenge over Ireland.

These two sides will go head-to-head at Soldier Field for the first time since 2016, when the Irishmen claimed their first-ever victory over New Zealand.

“This is an awesome match to kick off our Northern Tour with. Ireland are a strong side and will have a loud contingent of supporters here in Chicago, so we are prepared for a passionate clash on the Soldier Field stage,” Robertson said.

“We have had a great week together leading up to the Test and now we are looking forward to the contest on Saturday afternoon.”

All Blacks team to face Ireland

All Blacks: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 23 Damian McKenzie

Date: Saturday, November 1
Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago
Kick-off: 15:10 local (20:10 GMT, 09:10 Sunday NZDT)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU), Luc Ramos (FFR)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
FRPO: Dan Jones (RFU)

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