I am sure every rugby fan in Ireland can't wait for Saturday, and I'm no exception. This is the pinnacle you measure yourself against, the best team in the world for the last 20 years (a few World Cups aside), the mighty All Blacks. They have been pulverizing teams this year, shredding them, and stomping on the bits.
The big question is, can we do what Wales, South Africa, Australia and Argentina weren't able to do this year? I think we have a few chinks of opportunity this time. They have a few issues with their squad for the match, starting with lock. Patrick Tuipulotu makes only his third start for New Zealand, and he's the only lock in the matchday 23. He played really well against Argentina, but it's not bags of experience is it, and he's not Brodie Retallick. If he gets injured their scrum is going to look interesting, and even if he doesn't, with Jerome Kaino jammed into the lock position, there has to be opportunites at scrum and lineout.
George Moala (who played for Tonga in the U20 world Cup) in midfield has two caps, although he has played well there. Then Beauden Barrett's place kicking is suspect to say the least, although the rest of his game is pretty faultless, so that could count against them in a tight match.
From our side, I don't think Rob Kearney is in the form to be picked at fullback, but who isn't going to pick up their game for this match.
Joe Schmidt wants this so badly he can taste it, more badly than all of us I can tell you. If we play to our potential, last out that killer final ten minutes when the All Blacks normally score 3 tries we can do, which is a tall order for sure. I think our physicality in the first 20 minutes is going to be brutal, the only way we can win is completely throwing them off their stride, then hoping our backs have the match of their lives. Lots of lineouts and scrums. Realistically, we have only a small chance to win, but you just never know...
Wales - Australia will be good too.
In the Pro 12, Leinster should hammer Zebre, Connacht beat the Dragons, Ulster beat Edinburgh, and Munster overcome the Ospreys. 4 from 4!
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Jordi Murphy, 6 CJ Stander, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rory Best (c), 1 Jack McGrath
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Garry Ringrose
New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 George Moala, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Jerome Kaino, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Aaron Cruden, 23 Malakai Fekitoa
Saturday 5th November
International Match
Japan 5:40 Argentina
Wales 14:30 Australia
Barbarians 15:30 South Africa
Ireland 20:00 New Zealand
Friday, November 4
Benetton Treviso v Cardiff Blues 7:15 PM
Dragons v Connacht 7:15 PM
Edinburgh v Ulster 7:35 PM
Munster v Ospreys 7:35 PM
Saturday, November 5
Zebre v Leinster 4:05 PM
Scarlets v Glasgow Warriors 7:35 PM
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