O’Driscoll: New Zealand series win better than World Cup semi
Brian O’Driscoll says beating the All Blacks in a three-Test series in New Zealand would be a greater achievement than Ireland breaking their World Cup quarter-final hoodoo.
Brian O’Driscoll says beating the All Blacks in a three-Test series in New Zealand would be a greater achievement than Ireland breaking their World Cup quarter-final hoodoo.
Ireland have made only one injury-enforced change for the third Test against the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday as they push for a historic first series win in New Zealand.
New Zealand prop Angus Ta’avao will miss the third and deciding Test against Ireland after receiving a three-week suspension for a head-clash incident that resulted in his sending-off in the second Test.
Ireland produced a clinical performance in Dunedin on Saturday to claim their first win against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil.
The SARugbymag.co.za team formed a ruck over this weekend’s Test matches and there’s a cheeky red hand on the ball in Bloemfontein.
Ireland coach Andy Farrell says “not over-playing the emotional card” will be essential if they are to beat New Zealand in the second Test and send the three-match series to a decider.
New Zealand will have all three Barrett brothers available for the second Test against Ireland after flanker Scott escaped a citing for dangerous play in the series opener in Auckland.
On the first weekend of big Test match action, the Springboks are favourites when they take on Wales at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.
Ireland on Thursday named all four of their New Zealand-born players in their lineup for the first Test against the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday.
Powerhouse wing Leicester Fainga’anuku will make his All Blacks debut after being named in the side to start against Ireland at Eden Park on Saturday.