MATCH THREAD: Ireland vs New Zealand on Tour

Soldier Field, Chicago, Co. Illinois. Kick off 8PM GMT. Live on Eir Sports 2 TV from 7:30PM. Note. This game is NOT, repeat, NOT showing on Virgin Media.

IRELAND: R Kearney (Leinster), A Trimble, J Payne (both Ulster), R Henshaw (Leinster), S Zebo (Munster), J Sexton (Leinster), C Murray (Munster), J McGrath (Leinster), R Best (Ulster, capt), T Furlong, D Toner (both Leinster), D Ryan, CJ Stander (both Munster), J Murphy, J Heaslip (both Leinster).

Replacements: S Cronin, C Healy (both Leinster), F Bealham, U Dillane (both Connacht), J Van der Flier (Leinster), K Marmion (Connacht), J Carbery, G Ringrose (both Leinster).

NEW ZEALAND: B Smith, W Naholo (both Highlanders), G Moala (Blues), R Crotty (Crusaders), J Savea, B Barrett (both Hurricanes), A Smith (Highlanders), J Moody (Crusaders), D Coles (Hurricanes), O Franks (Crusaders), P Tuipulotu, J Kaino (both Blues), L Squire (Highlanders), S Cane (Chiefs), Kieran Read (Crusaders, capt).

Replacements C Taylor (Crusaders), O Tu’ungafasi, C Faumuina (both Blues), S Barrett (Crusaders), A Savea, TJ Perenara (both Hurricanes), A Cruden (Chiefs), M Fekitoa (Highlanders).


Preview. Sweet Home Chicago. Sitting here in my central downtown hotel having travelled to see Ireland play New Zealand, I feel happy. Having found a bar to call headquarters I feel bit like my hero, Con Houlihan. Now read on.....

The city here is in a state of sports utopia having won a "world cup" in their eyes; it's not for rugby but for another sport. Still, the locals know and are well aware that something better is going on today. The posters are up, the flags are flying, the airports are throbbing and the numerous fans are awash in the many Irish bars, and indeed the American bars and indeed the American bars that Irish people with more sense than money frequent.

This thing is real and yet unreal in many many ways; alas no black pudding to be seen nor it's white if more porky cousin. Americans love their sport but they love the event more. Today is more an event than a game, the hard bit if if AIG and World Rugby will see a return on their investment.

The Game. Truth be known, we are likely to be wellied today but then again we were due a wellying in 2013 in the game that like Len Brennan Jr, is never to be mentioned. What can be called a first choice tight five starts but as ever, the back row is a big concern this weekend. No O'Brien and no O'Mahony this time at the expense of maybe seeing them in 2 weeks time. That said there is a return for the mercurial Jordy Murphy.

CJ Stander (above) can be assured of a big game as well while Josh van der Flier is a fine sniper to call in and he surely will be called in. Behind Sexton, Payne and Henshaw will cause hassle, no bones about it and you can expect them to slow things down enough to play the game as we want is, one of Jared's finest assets. Keep an eye out for Gary Ringrose and Joey Carbery; both will get their debut caps at some stage today, one of which will be for returning Rob Kearney.


The Kiwis's have a few changes in their pack for today. Jerome Kaino (Below) moves to the second row owing to injuries to the ver reliable Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock. The Barratt brothers will become yet another NZ brother pair to play together if lock Scott makes the field; his sibling Beauden renews his partnership with Aaron Smith who returns at scrum half.
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Predictions Ireland need to make the most of our stable line out and maul if they are to compete today. The home away from home crowd will help but against a team looking for their 19th test win on the trot, it's a tall order and one that's too tall for today IMO. Expect the capitulation after 65 minutes unlike 2013 when we capitulated after 82 minutes. I say NZ to win 38-22 but for Ireland to remember Axel in style pre Haka but we will win the drink off.

And now for pizza and a singalong....