New Zealand v Ireland - 1st Test

It’s been seven months since New Zealand ended years and years  (24 to be exact) of hurt by winning only their second World Cup title, but the Autum Internationals bring the new Steve Hansen coached side back to Eden Park, and they should open up with a convincing win against Ireland in the first of three tests.

So long a side considered underachievers on the world stage, the power with which Graham Henry’s side went towards the world title can be considered nothing but deeply impressive – particularly their destruction of Australia in the semi-final – and with that behind them now, all questions turn to their defence of the title in 2015. That’s a long way away but they should prove miles too good for Ireland on home soil in any case.

Ma Noun may be absent but New Zealand are sure to be scoring plenty if their test record
is anything to go by

The all-time record of Ireland v New Zealand is played 24, won none and draw 23, while they’ve not won a summer international away to the big three (NZ, SA or AUS) since 1979. Those looking for encouragement could draw upon the excellent state of Irish club rugby, with Leinster having beaten Ulster to their third Heineken Cup in four years, although the seven players that Ireland can call upon who won this year’s title may well be mentally drained and exhausted thanks to their exploits which also saw them reach the Pro 12 final against Ospreys only to lose out in extra time.

Debutants Simon Zebo and Declan Fitzpatrick both impressed for Munster and Ulster this year in the Heineken Cup while Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton formed a good half-back axis during the 6 Nations. The rest of the team has stars such as Rob Kearney - arguably the world’s best fullback – and key in Leinster’s Heineken Cup triumphs at Clermont and in the final, along with Cian Healy and Rory Best, both of whom offer solidity and a try scoring opportunity.

That might be where the positives end. One of the most talented members in the team, Jamie Heaslip, will have to deal with Kieran Read, who himself has hit a personal high with excellent performances in the Super 15. Infact the majority of their first choice team - Hore, Mealamu, Woodcock, Williams, McCaw, Weepu, Carter, Nonu and Conrad Smith – will start tomorrow, while the three new caps – winger Juilan Savea, lock Brodie Retallick, and scrum half Aaron Smith, have all earned their chances.  

They should look to capitalise on the absence of and Stephen Ferris, the two who were so crucial to their win over Australia in the World Cup, and Mike Ross’s absence may give New Zealand the total advantage in the engine room, so crucial to denying a top Southern Hemisphere side.  A weat weather forecast may turn some off a large handicap (as big as 18 in some places) but the best wager might be New Zealand to score 33 points or more, as Ireland’s midfield guard may well be opened by the loss of such key players in the front row.

Advice

2.5 pts New Zealand to score 33 or more points (5/6 general)