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George Bell named in All Blacks team to face Ireland
By
Ben Smith
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has named his team to face Ireland, mainly sticking to the starting line-up who beat England.
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With Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett ruled out due to stand down protocols, Asafo Aumua will start at hooker and Damian McKenzie resumes in the No 10 jersey.
The replacements will play from the bench, with Crusaders young rake George Bell named as the reserve hooker and Stephen Perofeta the utility reserve in the 23 jersey.
Aside from the elevation of Aumua and McKenzie into the starting side, the XV remains unchanged.
Tamaiti Williams retains his place at loosehead prop with Ethan de Groot’s absence extending another week after being punished for breaking team protocol last week.
Ruben Love and Harry Plummer were expected to join the squad but neither have been named.
All Blacks team to face Ireland:
1. Tamaiti Williams
2. Asafo Aumua
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. Scott Barrett (c)
5. Tupou Vaa’i
6. Wallace Sititi
7. Sam Cane
8. Ardie Savea (vc)
9. Cortez Ratima
10. Damian McKenzie
11. Caleb Clarke
12. Jordie Barrett (vc)
13. Rieko Ioane
14. Mark Tele’a
15. Will Jordan
Reserves
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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
Watch the exclusive reveal-all episode of Walk the Talk with Ardie Savea as he chats to Jim Hamilton about the RWC 2023 experience, life in Japan, playing for the All Blacks and what the future holds. Watch now for free on RugbyPass TV
The game plan was right last week, just need to execute better. This selection was a no brainer
Whats up with DeGroot? Must have really annoyed someone. Would have had Roigard starting. Obviously going for consistency but I think there is no real evidence this is the best line-up. Hope "something" clicks and it is a good contest.
There is very little in it with the front row. The replacements won it for us last week. Why drop one of them to make way for EDG if the guys delivered last week. Sends a message to the team about the culture....EDG let the team down
Lots of powerful call carriers in that starting pack and off the bench.
The key to victory is for the All Black backs to not butcher the opportunities when that pack gives them front foot ball through poor ball handling/ passing (J. Barrett & Ioane) or mindless kicking possession away (Ratima & McKenzie).