Ireland v New Zealand: All you need to know ahead of Friday’s clash

A year after Ireland suffered further quarter-final heartbreak at the World Cup to New Zealand, Andy Farrell’s side welcome the All Blacks to the Aviva Stadium on Friday.

It is the first of four games this November, which will also see Ireland take on Argentina, Fiji and Australia.

After winning the Six Nations and drawing a series in South Africa, Ireland will be hoping for a strong finish to 2024, with the most difficult of the November games up first.

A rivalry that has grown every year, Ireland have won three out of their last five games against New Zealand, including a series win in New Zealand in 2022.

The All Blacks, who had a disappointing rugby championship under new manager Scott Robertson, will be determined to make a statement with victory over Andy Farrell’s side, having defeated England last weekend.

What time is Ireland v New Zealand?

Ireland v New Zealand will kick-off at 8:10 at the Aviva Stadium on Friday November 8th.

How can I watch the game?

The game will be shown live on Virgin Media One and Virgin Media Player, with coverage from 7pm.

Team News

There is good news on the injury front for Ireland, as Ronan Kelleher returning to start at hooker. Dan Sheehan is still out until 2025.

Mack Hansen and Hugo Keenan return having not played in the South Africa tour, while Jamison Gibson-Park also returns after missing the tour through injury.

He partners Jack Crowley in the half-back positions, while Garry Ringrose partners Bundee Aki in the centre. Caelan Doris captains the side at number eight.

For New Zealand, Damian McKenzie starts at fly-half with Beauden Barrett ruled out through injury.

Leinster bound Jordie Barrett starts in the centre alongside Rieko Ioane, who has not made too many friends in Ireland since the World Cup quarter-final.

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Ireland: Hugo Keenan (Leinster); Mack Hansen (Connacht), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Bundee Aki (Connacht), James Lowe (Leinster); Jack Crowley (Munster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Andrew Porter (Leinster), Rónan Kelleher (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht); Joe McCarthy (Leinster), James Ryan (Leinster); Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster, capt).

Replacements: Rob Herring (Ulster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Tom O’Toole (Ulster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Conor Murray (Munster), Ciarán Frawley (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster).

New Zealand: Will Jordan; Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke; Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Tamaiti Williams, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax; Scott Barrett (capt), Tupou Vaa’i; Wallace Sititi, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea.

Replacements: George Bell, Oda Tu’ungafasi, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samipeni Finau, Cam Roigard, Anton Lienert-Brown, Stephen Perofeta.

Sourse: breakingnews.ie