NEW ZEALAND’S TALISMANIC out half Dan Carter has been ruled out of the final Test with Ireland this Saturday.
The All Blacks will look to make it a series whitewash against Declan Kidney’s side with a victory in Hamilton.
They’ll have to do so without Carter however who has a hamstring injury and has been replaced by Aaron Cruden.
Openside flanker Kieran Read is out with concussion, so skipper Richie McCaw switches to number eight.
First Test hero Julian Savea and fellow wing Zac Guildford have been replaced by Hosea Gear and Ben Smith, while lock Brodie Retallick and side rower Adam Thomson drop to the bench.
Luke Romano will make his Test debut in the second row and uncapped fly-half Beauden Barrett comes into the reserves with Aaron Cruden starting in place of Carter in the pivot role. Hansen said Carter had suffered a mild strain, but it was enough to keep him sidelined, while most of the other changes were fallout from the high-pressure second Test.
“The All Blacks, by their own admission, weren’t happy with the way they performed on Saturday, and in part this is a credit to the way the Irish played.
“They have laid down a challenge and the key will be now how we respond. We will have to ensure our preparation is spot on this week so we can get the performance we need on Saturday.”
McCaw, who will be starting for the 100th time in his illustrious 105-Test career, has always worn the number seven jersey but moves to the backrow for the first time in an injury enforced shake-up of the loose forwards.
Liam Messam who is probably more accustomed to the number eight role will start on the side of the scrum with his Waikato Chiefs’ teammate Sam Cane. The inclusion of Cruden at fly-half restores another partnership from the Super 15 leading Chiefs with Sonny Bill Williams beside him at inside centre.
Long-serving hooker Keven Mealamu returns from injury and is on the bench. along with Tamati Ellison, whose one previous Test was in 2009, providing cover for the outside backs.
New Zealand XV to face Ireland: I Dagg; B Smith, C Smith, S B Williams, H Gear; A Cruden, A Smith; T Woodcock, A Hore, O Franks, L Romano, S Whitelock, L Messam. S Cane, R McCaw (capt).
Replacements: K Mealamu, B Franks, B Retallick, A Thomson, P Weepu, B Barrett, T Ellison.
As always though this series, we’ll liveblog the action from the stadim
- additional reporting AFP
