All Blacks vs Ireland

The connoisseur's choice of internationals this weekend is New Zealand v Ireland and the chance of history being made.

This weekend, though, what feels a more traditional format begins, with teams travelling to the other side of the world for a Test series of meaningful length against one team. South Africa have picked a characteristically monstrous team, packed with World Cup winners, for their first Test against Wales, while Argentina have gone similarly full-bore for theirs against Scotland. Wales give a first cap to Leicester flanker Tommy Reffell, who will line up against Leicester teammate and fellow English champion, Jasper Wiese, at No8 for the Springboks. Alun Wyn Jones’s 150 caps will weigh heavily on Wales’s bench. Cian Healy was carted off with a twisted knee in Ireland’s 32-17 defeat to the Maori on Tuesday, but he seems to have recovered sufficiently to assume his place on the bench this weekend. If international rugby gets its way, every other year we will see yet another tournament of meaning and intensity crank itself up on this first weekend of July, in a desperate bid to hold off the encroaching power and influence of the domestic game. France have only two Tests this July, in Japan. Whoever wins in Eden Park will leapfrog them into second place in World Rugby’s rankings. In the perennial struggle between domestic sport and international, more exquisitely poised in rugby than anywhere else, this weekend marks the opening of the latest window for the international game to set out its stall.

Ian Foster has encouraging words about the new two All Blacks caps in Saturday's Ireland test. The hotly-anticipated series is now upon us. Ever since it was ...

A beautiful mind crunching all the player stats. You need journalists close enough to smell the liniment. If quality local sport journalism is important to you, become a Stuff supporter today. * The big questions facing the All Blacks ahead of test against Ireland * Time for embattled All Blacks forwards to stand up to the Ireland pressure test All you need to know: All Blacks v Ireland first test at Eden Park

Everything you need to know ahead of the first Test in Auckland.

At a neutral version, or on Irish soil, Ireland might well be favourites against the All Blacks but their Eden Park record is so formidable, it’s hard to predict anything other than a New Zealand victory. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Scott Barrett, 7. Beauden Barrett, 9. James Ryan, 6. Tadhg Beirne, 5. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Crusaders wing Leicester Fainga’anuku will make his All Blacks debut and Chiefs back-rower Pita Gus Sowakula could do likewise from the bench. James Lowe, 10. Johnny Sexton captains the side from fly-half, while Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose are preferred in the centres to Bundee Aki and Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris form the back row as Jack Conan is a replacement. The three-time world champion All Blacks haven’t lost at Eden Park since way back in 1994 and the venue has become renowned as something of a fortress. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Kingsland pubs are gearing up in preparation for tonight's game between New Zealand and Ireland. They're expecting 3- to 4-times the usual business, ...

The PR team also ask — quite reasonably — that anyone attending the game be nice to the staff. Two former world players of the year, Beauden Barrett and Johnny Sexton, are running the show. And Covid-19 went through their coaching staff quicker than a group of QAnon nutters in the crowd at a Donald Trump rally. Nope. Ireland are a real-deal team — and tonight's first test is their best chance to break down another barrier, beating the All Blacks at home. Some players will have to double-up between midweek matches against the Māori All Blacks and the Saturday tests — there are three on the bench tonight (Conor Murray, Joey Carberry and Bundee Aki) who featured in Wednesday's defeat to the Māori. There are 120 trains and buses running to the venue for free. They've won three of the past five matches between these two sides, never having claimed an All Black scalp prior to 2016. Englishman Karl Dickson is the referee. The good folk in the Eden Park PR team tell us they're expecting to sell 6500 punnets of hot chips and 2000 boxes of donuts. If the All Blacks win all three matches, the series is no big deal. Lose one, and we'll shift nervously in our seats. So, there will be many tea leaves to sift after this series.

What's on? All Blacks v Ireland, the opening test in a three-match tour. Kicking off at 7.05pm, at Eden Park. What's at stake? The All Blacks are likely.

The PR team also ask — quite reasonably — that anyone attending the game be nice to the staff. Two former world players of the year, Beauden Barrett and Johnny Sexton, are running the show. Nope. Ireland are a real-deal team — and tonight's first test is their best chance to break down another barrier, beating the All Blacks at home. And Covid-19 went through their coaching staff quicker than a group of QAnon nutters in the crowd at a Donald Trump rally. If the All Blacks win all three matches, the series is no big deal. They've won three of the past five matches between these two sides, never having claimed an All Black scalp prior to 2016.

Getting the better of Ian Foster's troops at Eden Park will be a mammoth task however, as the All Blacks haven't lost at the Auckland ground - to any opponent - ...

Most of this side have beaten the All Blacks, some more than once, and there are a number who will have fond memories of the Lions’ tour here in 2017. “To be fair, we’ve had two years like this in some ways, it just happens to be me and a couple of coaches this week. A lot of kudos goes to Ireland for making sure this series will be an outstanding one.” Rebecca Nelson has the duties of belting out “Ireland’s Call”, joined by the Irish players and a relatively healthy smattering of green jerseys up in the stands. We know the challenge in front of us, but are excited at the same time. They also have some inside knowledge, with ex-Ireland coach Joe Schmidt on their coaching staff, after the native Kiwi was drafted in at short notice to fill holes left by Covid-19 isolations.

Here's how to watch a New Zealand vs Ireland live stream for the 2022 Summer International rugby fixture, as Andy Farrell's men look to secure their first ...

If you want to sign up, you can check out our dedicated guide to Sky TV deals and packages (opens in new tab) for today's best prices. The monthly package comes with a 7-day free trial (opens in new tab). SuperSport (opens in new tab) (SA) FloRugby (opens in new tab) (US) Sky Sports (opens in new tab) (UK & IRE) Read on as our guide explains how to get a New Zealand vs Ireland live stream and watch the Summer International rugby match online from anywhere. Kick-off is set for 5.05pm AEST on Saturday afternoon. We've put all the major VPNs through their paces and we rate ExpressVPN as our top pick, thanks to its speed, ease of use and strong security features. Cian Healy is only fit enough for the bench after picking up a leg injury, while Johnny Sexton will resume captaincy duties after Bundee Aki wore the armband in midweek. Live stream: Sky Sport (opens in new tab) (NZ) Two-time World Player of the Year Beauden Barrett will start at fly-half, with Richie Mo'unga having to start on the bench after dealing with an illness. The All Blacks haven't lost a home match since September 2018, but they've come under fire after *only* winning 12 of their 15 fixtures last year, their worst return since 2009.

7pm - Out come the All Blacks to a rousing ovation, after the Irish received a hearty one of their own. Into the anthems, we go. 6:55pm - Ideal conditions at ...

It's a smorgasbord for fans of the game they play in heaven as the All Blacks host Ireland before we head to Perth for the first Test between Australia and ...

The conversion is good. Ireland have kicked more though (11 kicks to nine). All Blacks win a penalty but lose the lineout The All Blacks win a scrum penalty while camped down their own end. Ireland also lack a bit of polish at the lineout. Ireland attempt a sharp set play down the left wing from the back of a scrum but there’s a knock-on. A massive 20-minute period here from the All Blacks just before half-time to take all the momentum. New Zealand hit the lead. Try is set up by a nice palm from Sevu Reece and a bit of a break down the left edge from Leicester Fainga’anuku. Ireland cough the ball up before All Blacks winger Sevu Reece scoops on a loose ball. Can the All Blacks rack up a cricket score? New Zealand have the momentum

Minute-by-minute report: A blockbuster first Test at Eden Park awaits. Join Luke McLaughlin for all the latest.

Hugo Keenan initially miscontrols a ball in the Ireland 22, but manages to tidy up and give it to Sexton. New Zealand run it from this next possession. That’s serves as a reminder that since the first couple of minutes, it’s been all Ireland. Just before that Sexton tried a brave chip and chase in the Ireland half. Everything and nothing, but mainly everything, both as a milestone on their journey to next year’s World Cup, and in itself as one of rugby union’s great achievements. He’s brought down, and Peter O’Mahony snatches the ball out of the ruck, making the New Zealand No 9 Smith look a little silly. In the perennial struggle between domestic sport and international, more exquisitely poised in rugby than anywhere else, this weekend marks the opening of the latest window for the international game to set out its stall. 19 min: New Zealand enjoy a bit of front-foot ball and move towards the Ireland 22. He can’t gather the ball himself but manages to bat the ball to the right - a couple of Ireland defenders rush past the bouncing ball, and Savea flops on it to score. Barrett nails the kick for the extras. 26 min: Ireland have played most of the rugby but find themselves behind ... Sexton will be annoyed he missed that conversion and that’s putting it lightly. After a hugely accomplished start, a couple of moments of carelessness have let the hosts back in. Ireland’s defence isn’t set, Beauden Barrett nudges a nice grubber kick towards the posts, and Tupaea calmly waits for it to bobble up before gathering and touching down. If Ireland can start the second half like they started the first, though, there could still be a game on in the second half.

Tries by Jordie Barrett, Sevu Reece and Quinn Tupaea have the hosts up 21-5 at Eden Park, while the visiting side lose captain Johnny Sexton to a head ...

A beautiful mind crunching all the player stats. If quality local sport journalism is important to you, become a Stuff supporter today. You need journalists close enough to smell the liniment. The big questions facing the All Blacks ahead of Ireland test * The big questions facing the All Blacks ahead of test against Ireland * Time for embattled All Blacks forwards to stand up to the Ireland pressure test

Ireland are aiming for a first-ever victory in New Zealand in Auckland. The All Blacks have not lost at Eden Park since 1994.

— — — — 50 mins from kickoff: If you're an Ireland fan, the historical omens aren't good, with no win ever in a New Zealand Test and the All Blacks not losing at Eden Park since 1994. Anthems and the haka. There's a break in play before a scrum on the Irish 10-metre line and the All Blacks have a bit of a conflab. Scrum just outside the visitors' 22 and they have the put-in. 5th minute: Ireland venture into the New Zealand 22 and they're battering a path through! 14th minute: Big scrum from New Zealand on and Ireland put-in. Ireland keep the move going, back inside and into the 22. Jordie Barrett goes three from three from the tee.

Watch all four summer tours on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Action: New Zealand vs Ireland (from 7.30am, 8.05am KO), Australia vs England (from 10.15am, ...

Ireland are aiming for a first-ever victory in New Zealand in Auckland. The All Blacks have not lost at Eden Park since 1994.

— — — — 50 mins from kickoff: If you're an Ireland fan, the historical omens aren't good, with no win ever in a New Zealand Test and the All Blacks not losing at Eden Park since 1994. Anthems and the haka. There's a break in play before a scrum on the Irish 10-metre line and the All Blacks have a bit of a conflab. Scrum just outside the visitors' 22 and they have the put-in. 5th minute: Ireland venture into the New Zealand 22 and they're battering a path through! 14th minute: Big scrum from New Zealand on and Ireland put-in. Ireland keep the move going, back inside and into the 22. Jordie Barrett goes three from three from the tee.

After a slow start, the All Blacks have broken the hearts of Ireland by four unanswered tries to take a 28-5 lead into half time at Eden Park. LIVE MATCH CENTRE ...

Two more tries in the five minutes leading up to half-time saw the All Blacks break free, as Quinn Tupaea and Ardie Savea scored. Follow all the live action in our blog below! In the process, Johnny Sexton was forced from the field after a head knock.

Live coverage of New Zealand vs. Ireland from Eden Park. Keith Earls' sixth-minute try gave Ireland an early lead against the All Blacks before Jordie ...

There's a break in play before a scrum on the Irish 10-metre line and the All Blacks have a bit of a conflab. 50 mins from kickoff: If you're an Ireland fan, the historical omens aren't good, with no win ever in a New Zealand Test and the All Blacks not losing at Eden Park since 1994. 5th minute: Ireland venture into the New Zealand 22 and they're battering a path through! Scrum just outside the visitors' 22 and they have the put-in. 14th minute: Big scrum from New Zealand on and Ireland put-in. 58th minute: Aki is on for Ireland and immediately trying to punch holes in the All Blacks defence as Ireland enjoy a spell under the posts. Ireland keep the move going, back inside and into the 22. Faingaanuku tears away down the left and Ireland just manage to hold him up before the line. Savea has his second of the night but a lot of the credit goes to Smith's immaculate pass that left the Ireland defence scrambling. Jordie Barrett goes three from three from the tee. 63rd minute: More territory for Ireland but New Zealand hang tough and get the scrum. They work possession all the way across to the left.

New Zealand: Jordie Barrett; Sevu Reece, Rieki Ioane, Quinn Tupaea, Leicester Fainga'anuku; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; George Bower, Codie Taylor, Ofa Tu'ungafasi; Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock; Scott Barrett, Sam Cane (capt), Ardie Savea.

The All Blacks will be eager to start with a bang as they begin their series against Ireland.

ALL BLACKS v IRELAND TEAMS ALL BLACKS 42 Catch the All Blacks face Ireland LIVE on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sports Trial Now