Ireland vs New Zealand Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2024 Autumn Internationals
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In a mouth-watering Autumn Nations Series encounter, Ireland – the top-ranked Rugby Union nation – welcome New Zealand to the Aviva Stadium.
Start date/time: Friday 8th November, 2024, UK – 8:10pm / US ET – 3:10pm / US PT – 12:10pm
How to watch on tv: UK – TNT Sport / US – Peacock Premium
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Peacock Premium
Ireland Form: Out for revenge
In front of what is sure to be a raucous atmosphere in Dublin, Ireland kick-off their Autumn Nations Series by taking on the side who eliminated them from the World Cup quarter-finals last year.
Ireland have not been in action since a memorable double-header against South Africa in the summer, with the two sides sharing the spoils in those two matches, but they are the top-ranked side in the world right now, and have won their last 19 matches at the Aviva Stadium.
Last Five: WLWLW
New Zealand form: Narrow win over England
New Zealand got the job done against England in Twickenham last week, winning 24-22, but it wasn’t the most convincing performance from the All Blacks and they will have to show considerable improvement if they are to achieve the same outcome in Dublin.
Scott Robertson’s side came second in the summer’s Rugby Championship, and were someway off the impressive pace set by back-to-back world champions South Africa. They are, however, match-hardened after a busy schedule playing against some of the top nations.
Last five: LWWWW
Ireland Team News: Gibson-Park recalled
Squad: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Tom O'Toole, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Peter O'Mahony, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Jamie Osborne
New Zealand Team News: McKenzie & Aumua in for Barrett & Taylor
Squad: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Mark Tele'a, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Tupou Vaa'i, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Tamaiti Williams
Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cam Roigard, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Stephen Perofeta
Ireland vs New Zealand Prediction
It may be fairly early in the Autumn Nations Series but this is undoubtedly one of the standout ties between two nations who have served up some memorable contests in recent years.
This is not an all-time great New Zealand side, and they are going though a period where they are second-best in their own hemisphere, but make no mistake – the All Blacks are still a force to be reckoned with in world rugby.
However, against a hungry Ireland side out for revenge in their own backyard, we’re favouring the hosts to prevail in this eagerly-anticipated clash.
Ireland vs New Zealand Tip: Ireland to win
