Andy Farrell has made one change to the Ireland team to face the All Blacks this weekend from the one which lost 42-19 in the opening test of the three-game series last weekend.
Mack Hansen, who has recovered from Covid-19, takes the place of Keith Earls on the wing. Earls had started against both the Maori All Blacks, and the All Blacks.
5 July 2022; Ireland players, from left, Jack Conan, Ed Byrne, Robbie Henshaw and Mack Hansen during rugby squad training at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Johnny Sexton has passed HIA protocols and will captain the team from out-half.
There are two changes to the bench with Rob Herring and Finlay Bealham, who were both ruled out of the first test, taking the places of Dave Heffernan and Tom O'Toole, respectively.
"There's all sorts of different ramifications that go into selection," said Ireland head coach Farrell.
"Sometimes, players probably have not performed to the standards that they judge themselves on; to not give people an opportunity to correct that is sometimes missing an opportunity. There's a little bit of that.
"Some people are unlucky not to start because they had good impact off the bench. They understand that as well. To go along with that, the guys that get to play on Tuesday night [against the Maori All Blacks] as well, have got a chance to put their hand for selection in the third test."
5 July 2022; Jonathan Sexton during Ireland rugby squad training at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand ahead of the second test against the All Blacks. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Ireland team to play All Blacks in second test
15. Hugo Keenan
14. Mack Hansen
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. James Lowe
10. Johnny Sexton (C)
9. Jamison Gibson Park
1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Tadhg Beirne
5. James Ryan
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris
Replacements
16. Rob Herring
17. Cian Healy
18. Finlay Bealham
19. Kieran Treadwell
20. Jack Conan
21. Conor Murray
22. Joey Carbery
23. Bundee Aki
Ireland play the All Blacks in the second test of the series at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin at 8:05am (Irish time) on Saturday, July 9th. The game will be shown live on Sky Sports.
See Also: Nigel Owens Says Scott Barrett Should Have Been Sent Off
