The All Blacks and Ireland meet in the third Test to decide a series for the ages at Sky Stadium on Saturday.
New Zealand v Ireland: Third Test
16 July
Sky Stadium, Wellington
To Win Match
NZ 1/3, Draw 28/1, Ireland 3/1
Handicap
NZ (-9.5) 10/11, Ireland (+9.5) 87/100
It’s difficult to remember when last the All Blacks were under this much pressure. After surrendering their proud home winning record to the Irish in the second Test, and dropping to their lowest ever world ranking (fourth) in the process, Ian Foster’s boys are on the verge of being totally vanquished with the tourists smelling blood in the water.
The 12-23 loss at the Forsyth Barr is the latest unwanted result in the Foster era, following on from a first-ever loss to Argentina in 2020 and further defeats to the Springboks, Ireland and France in 2021. The 57-year-old, who served as AB assistant for eight-years under Sir Steve Hansen, seems to be gaining detractors daily, and another defeat here would be tantamount to a national disaster for the people of the Land of the Long White Cloud.
Johnny Sexton’s post-match presser after the Dunedin game was a sight to behold. The veteran skipper had an air of nonchalance about him, as if he bloody well expected a first Test win in New Zealand in his nation’s 147-year history, and that it was nothing to get overly excited about.
This attitude, while being all too characteristic of the Leinster man, points to a bigger picture: Andy Farrell’s Ireland believe themselves to be the real deal. They have proper expectations of themselves, ones they intend to deliver on, and levelling the series was just one step on the way to winning the thing, and then, ultimately, the 2023 World Cup.
Team news
The Kiwis have recalled classy backline duo David Havili and Will Jordan to their run-on XV, while Slammin’ Sam Whitelock’s return to the side will give their lineout a big boost – a department in which they looked pretty ordinary last week. Nepo Laulala is also back at tighthead.
For the tourists, Bundee Aki is a fine replacement for the injured Garry Ringrose, their only change.
Verdict: Ireland 3/1
If Ireland are ever going to win a first series in New Zealand, the time is now. The first Test was much closer than the score-line suggests, while the second went much more according to plan for the Irish. The hosts are looking wobbly. Back them to fall.
