Ireland coach Andy Farrell has praised the All Blacks' form under new head coach Dave Rennie, saying the up-tempo style suits New Zealand’s "DNA".
The All Blacks have taken to Rennie’s request they play with an “optimistic” mindset with gusto during the first two Tests of his reign – victories over France and Italy.
The head coach has said since that the attacking balance has not always been optimal but his men have achieved success in keeping the ball in hand rather than kicking it away – the latter an occasional blight on the modern Test game.
They scored seven tries against Italy in Wellington and five the week before against the French in Christchurch.
Asked today what he thought of the All Blacks’ performances under Rennie so far, Farrell said: “I’ve been super impressed. I’ve obviously followed Dave’s career – a very impressive one at that.
“I understand fully how his sides like to play. We’ve seen that with the Chiefs and we certainly saw that at Glasgow – the effect that he had – and obviously what he’s done in Japan as well. I also thought he did a fantastic job in Australia.
“The style of rugby suits the DNA of how the New Zealand rugby playing nation want to play and he’s brought a bit of steel back to them as well. It certainly makes them very dangerous on Saturday.”
It is Ireland’s first visit to Eden Park since 2022, the year the Irish created history when winning the Test series against the All Blacks 2-1.
A first-up defeat at the All Blacks’ fortress was followed by victories for the visitors in Dunedin and Wellington.
The All Blacks have not been beaten at Eden Park since 1994 – a run of 52 Tests – but there is little doubt Ireland fancy their chances of making history again.
“I feel we’re the fortunate ones, the lucky ones, in the sense that we get the opportunity to go to Eden Park,” Farrell said. “We had that fortune in ‘22 first game up and obviously we couldn’t get that over the line. We’re pretty lucky to get another shot at it.”
Three NZers in Irish match-day squad
Meanwhile, Farrell has named three New Zealanders in his match-day squad, with Jamison Gibson-Park starting at halfback and midfielder Bundee Aki and loose forward Sean Jansen on the reserves bench.
Jansen, 27, was born in Dunedin and represented North Otago before leaving for further opportunities overseas, signing with Leicester in 2022 and then Irish club Connacht a year later.
He made his Test debut for Ireland last weekend in the victory over Japan, a Test in which he scored a try.
“He’s shown his character hasn’t he… by going overseas first at Leicester and then on to Connacht,” Farrell said of Jansen.
“He’s been unbelievably consistent; some top performances certainly for Connacht this year and he’s backed that up at Test level. I don’t think he’ll be overawed by what’s in front of him as well. He’ll just be himself.”
The All Blacks team is announced at 4pm today.
Ireland: 1. Tom O’Toole, 2. Dan Sheehan (c), 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. James Ryan, 6. Tadhg Beirne, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Jack Conan, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park, 10. Sam Prendergast, 11. Jimmy O’Brien, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Garry Ringrose, 14. Rob Baloucoune, 15. Hugo Keenan.
Reserves: 16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Jeremy Loughman, 18. Thomas Clarkson, 19. Nick Timoney, 20. Sean Jansen, 21. Craig Casey, 22. Ciaran Frawley, 23. Bundee Aki.
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