NZ Ireland preview...and both Carter and BOD 'delighted'

A couple of snippets from the AB Website as the excitement hots up...

http://www.allblacks.com/news/19580/Preview-New-Zealand-v-Ireland

http://www.allblacks.com/news/19585/ODriscoll-delighted-to-be-back-in-green

http://www.allblacks.com/news/19586/Dan-Carter-delighted-to-be-back-at-helm

New Zealand have an unbeaten sequence of 27 Tests at Eden Park and for that to be halted Ireland need to defy history and record their first win over New Zealand in Saturday's Steinlager Series opener.

VENUE & TIME: Eden Park, Auckland, 19.35 (NZT)

HEAD TO HEAD: Played 24, New Zealand 23, Ireland 0, Drawn 1

LAST TIME: November 20, 2010 (Dublin) – New Zealand 38-18 Ireland.

WALKING WOUNDED: New Zealand are down several of the World Cup-winning stars. Most notable is IRB player of the year contender Jerome Kaino who is out for the season as is utility back Isaia Toeava while hooker Keven Mealamu is not being considered for the first Test while he gets over his calf injury. Wings Cory Jane and Richard Kahui and first five-eighths Colin Slade were all unable to be considered due to injury. And training squad member prop Charlie Faumuina is not sufficiently recovered to be considered.
Ireland's prop Mike Ross is a big loss after failing to recover from a hamstring stain. Already missing from the side was lock and 85-Test veteran Paul O'Connell and former New Zealand provincial halfback Isaac Boss and flanker Stephen Ferris who suffered a calf muscle injury. Ulster's Tom Court also missed out due to a broken thumb. Add to that the retirements of loose forward Denis Leamy and fullback Geordan Murphy and it has been tough times for the tourists.

FORM:
New Zealand:(All at home)
V France (WC final) Won 8-7
V Australia Won 20-6
VArgentina Won 33-10
V Canada Won 79-15
V France Won 37-17

Ireland:
V England Lost 9-30 (A)
V Scotland Won 32-14 (H)
V France Drew 17-17 (A)
V Italy Won 42-10 (H)
V Wales Lost 21-23 (A)

Ireland arrived in New Zealand after a busy end to their season with Leinster involved in both the Heineken Cup and Celtic League finals while Ulster reached the final of the Cup as well. In their warm-up game to the tour and Ireland XV was beaten by the Barbarians 28-29.

New Zealand have a reputation for making a slow start to their season, although that was not something that was obvious over the past few years. Most have been consistent in their appearances for their Super Rugby teams this year and that should ensure that it is only a matter of finding their cohesion to cause Ireland some worries.

WHO'S HOT: New Zealand's key men have all been running into their best form after injury concerns. Captain and flanker Richie McCaw had a delayed start as his foot recovered from surgery but he has quickly regained his mojo while first five-eighths star Dan Carter has also looked more like the sharp operator in his recent outings, and especially since returning to the No.10 jersey. Hooker Andrew Hore hasn't minded a heavy workload up front while prop Tony Woodcock's scrummaging power has been one of the few positives for the Blues team this year. And new cap he may be but lock Brodie Retallick has impressed with his basic rugby savvy while second five-eighths Sonny Bill Williams has been little short of dynamic.

Fullback Rob Kearney has enjoyed a big season and showed his best touches in the Heineken Cup final where his aerial ability and defensive play was matched by well taken chances with the ball in hand. Centre Brian O'Driscoll may have been out for much of the home season due to injury but his experience and class mean he always has to be watched closely. Prop Cian Healy was impressive in his loosehead prop role and faces extra responsibility with a rookie in Declan Fitzpatrick making his debut in the toughest circumstances. First five-eighths Jonathan Sexton has been growing as one of the most accomplished in his position in the world and will be another needing to be carefully watched given his thrust off the mark.

WE THINK: One of the most constant refrains from captain Brian O'Driscoll in his seven visits to New Zealand on rugby playing business has been his regret at his team getting into winning positions only to fade in the final quarter. That would seem to be a prospect again as the home team, carrying their much touted mixture of enthusiasm and youth, set about their business again without the weight of World Cup expectation hanging over them. In fine conditions there might be 15 points in favour of the home team, but if it is wet that could reduce to 10.

TEAMS:
New Zealand1.Tony Woodcock, 2.Andrew Hore, 3.Owen Franks, 4.Brodie Retallick, 5.Sam Whitelock, 6.Victor Vito, 7.Richie McCaw (captain), 8.Kieran Read, 9.Aaron Smith, 10.Daniel Carter, 11.Julian Savea, 12.Sonny Bill Williams, 13.Conrad Smith, 14.Zac Guildford, 15.Israel Dagg.

Reserves: 16.Hikawera Elliot, 17.Ben Franks, 18.Ali Williams, 19.Adam Thomson, 20.Piri Weepu, 21.Aaron Cruden, 22.Ben Smith.

Ireland 1.Cian Healy, 2.Sean O'Brien, 3.Declan Fitzpatrick, 4.Dan Touhy, 5.Donnacha Ryan, 6. Peter O'Mahony,7.Sean O'Brien, 8.Jamie Heaslip, 9.Conor Murray, 11.Simon Zebo, 12.Keith Earls, 13.Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 14.Fergus McFadden, 15.Rob Kearney.

Reserves: 16.Sean Cronin, 17.Ronan Loughney, 18.Donncha O'Callaghan, 19.Kevin McLaughlin, 20.Eoin Reddan, 21.Ronan O'Gara, 22.Darren Cave.

REFEREE: Nigel Owens

Some of the locals comments:
LeftRightOut
08/06/12 | 11:03 AM - Comment #56

@RagingBiggot - you wanna talk about NZ not facing "real opposition"? I will remind you that in the RWC Ireland made it just as far as England and your beloved Boks. In fact, if memory serves me correctly, the Boks were the ONLY team that failed to score a try in the quarter finals. I will go one further to say that the Boks only managed a total of 3 tries from 4 matches in last years tri-nations - predictable and 2-dimensional rugby. I am looking forward to Argentina offering us some more "real opposition" this year
Report as inappropriate Wardad2.0
08/06/12 | 11:01 AM - Comment #55

What tankamolo gone ?i8s he seeing out the season ?
Report as inappropriate Wardad2.0
08/06/12 | 11:00 AM - Comment #54

pipman ,bro kind words indeed !but if it all goes pear shaped you could come over to the dark side !you"ll like it here we gots cookies ! and beer !
Report as inappropriate Wardad2.0
08/06/12 | 10:57 AM - Comment #53

I like all the irish guys on here giving us the skinny on a team we know little about kia ora irsh dudes and dudettes!
Report as inappropriate Wardad2.0
08/06/12 | 10:55 AM - Comment #52

RB you know damn well your guys have beaten us to the ref payoff bro ,all them luvverly gold krugerands and watches of shiny,shiny gold !NZ pesos cant compete !hahaha!
Report as inappropriate NewPlymouth
08/06/12 | 10:43 AM - Comment #51

its going too be a very close game less than 10 points
Report as inappropriate AB4LYF
08/06/12 | 08:17 AM - Comment #50

Lol,Ragingbok strikes again..Oh well I guess we have to have some idiot commenter to laugh at..hehehe coz without him on here we would be tooo serious...LOL..Ragingbok its ok mate we feel ur pain,yes the Boks were cheated out of that Q/final match at the Rwc but hey u cant turn back time buddy..Either way it didnt matter who the ABZ played in that Semi we were more hungrier...And dont worry mate if u think Ireland is an easy beat and where getn the easy game as u so put..we will be playing u blokes in a fews weeks time and the results are going to be the same with the ABZ victorious.....As for the Kiwis being fags...damm those fags are WORLD CHAMPS....now stink that down ur throat.....Raging Crybaby
Report as inappropriate OZ forever
08/06/12 | 07:11 AM - Comment #49

Ireland's tight head is out. That is a disaster for them as it proved against England in the Six Nations. The game was pretty equal before that and England scored almost all their points from that after he went off. If the weather is dry NZ will win by 20+. If its wet it will be about 15 points margin. I think NZ will go to town on the Irish on saturday.
Report as inappropriate chris.j.m
08/06/12 | 06:22 AM - Comment #48

hey fdblue,look at this pic of Richie he would have look good in that French colors,hey bro what ye say?
Report as inappropriate chris.j.m
08/06/12 | 06:18 AM - Comment #47

Well as you all well know by now is that the Boks are all cheats every one of em,damn look what they did during the wc,hiring Chuck Norris to bend that post on top just enough that the Walers couldnt get the winning points,dirty rotten dogs i say!
Report as inappropriate DP
08/06/12 | 04:02 AM - Comment #46

RagingBoks 07/06/12 Comment #24

PS Prepare for countdown. I think your days are numbered. Shame... not.
Report as inappropriate DP
08/06/12 | 04:00 AM - Comment #45

Tend to agree with Naru in that the Irish fwds & esp their fr row are their main weakness. Collapsed v Engaland in the 6N. In for an action replay? Could be. If so, likely to see an Irish dunking as they have 'no method in the Magners'!
Report as inappropriate nails
08/06/12 | 03:54 AM - Comment #44

All Blacks will smash the irish.ragingboks henekey's boys's will cheat with up& unders(stampkar rugby).
Report as inappropriate DP
08/06/12 | 03:51 AM - Comment #43

RagingBoks 07/06/12 Comment #35

I know you desperately need the attention, but seriously, are you bi-polar?
Report as inappropriate Rujhio
08/06/12 | 03:19 AM - Comment #42

At Raging Bok you obvioiusly dont know a thing about rugby the fact remain the Bokke or any team for that matter will never every play better rugby than the All Blacks - what does Catholics have to do with Irish rugby?
Report as inappropriate narutouzumaki
08/06/12 | 02:59 AM - Comment #41

off topic, but taumalolo is of to perpignan.

now the chiefs only have taumafuina, afeaki and t smith as well as hika and schwalger for their front row options,,,,,,lucky lucky bar stewards, lol,
Report as inappropriate BLACKIE01
08/06/12 | 02:26 AM - Comment #40

TO RAGINGBOK I THINK YOU SHOULD KEEP QUIET THEY SAY AN EMPTY CAN MAKE THE BIGGEST NOISE AND THAT REFLECT YOU HAVE NOTGING BETWEEN THE EARS
Report as inappropriate narutouzumaki
08/06/12 | 01:55 AM - Comment #39

ross, oconnel, ferris. these are three big time players that ireland didnt want to lose and now ross hasnt recovered from his hamstring tear (hopefully for test 2 and 3) and that loss is massive, cos hes the cornerstone of the irish frontrow.

most teams pave the way of their success on the back of forwards getting the go forward and i can only see the irish doing this for the first 20-30mins and on heart alone. but once the ABs get more and more comfortable, we will assert control and never look like losing.

i will say that preparation is a big key and the irish have prepared well with their rugby skills honed in the barbarians match, heinken cup and 6nats, so it might not be smooth sailing, but on paper the ABs by 20pts, but will prob be a little bit closer.
Report as inappropriate Pipman
08/06/12 | 00:23 AM - Comment #38

should i feel bad that im looking forward to this game more then the Welsh game?? and to honest i want to watch the england v SA game too but thinking i might be in a sour mood after the Welsh game lol lets hope not tho! anyway..good luck to the ABs and SA gonna be a great weekend
Report as inappropriate diddillibah15
07/06/12 | 23:47 PM - Comment #37

Me thinks RagingBokke lives on the North Shore with many other decent Saffa's. He has been to many games in NZ to watch all the SA teams get beaten, year after year. Should he move back to SA to see some victories or should he stay in NZ for safety reasons but become a bitter and twisted village idiot. Me thinks the latter.
Report as inappropriate
Go to page

Didnt actually read the comments before posting them but sure glad 606v2 doesnt resort to the low levels our own AB site does- looks like a free for all...