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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Robert Hynes

Ireland team v New Zealand: Andy Farrell makes one change for third Test

Andy Farrell has kept faith with the side that recorded a first-ever win over the All Blacks in New Zealand and turned the tables following the 42-19 defeat in the series-opener.

Ireland beat Ian Foster's side 23-12 in Dunedin last weekend and their fringe players followed that victory up with a 30-24 win over the Maori All Blacks on Tuesday.

Farrell has made just one change for Saturday's third and final test, with Bundee Aki promoted from the bench to replace inside centre Garry Ringrose, who has been ruled out due to concussion. He partners Robbie Henshaw in midfield.

READ MORE: New Zealand’s Angus Ta’avao gets three-week ban after red card against Ireland

Johnny Sexton, who celebrated his 37th birthday this week, captains the team as he wins his 108th cap, equalling Paul O’Connell’s tally for Ireland.

Sexton will be partnered by Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-backs with the back three of Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and James Lowe retained.

The pack from the first two Tests lines out again in the final game of the tour with Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong in the front row and Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan at lock. Peter O’Mahony is at six, Josh van der Flier at seven and Caelan Doris is named at No.8.

The replacements include Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Kieran Treadwell, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery and Keith Earls.

Veteran winger Earls, replaced by Mack Hansen at Dunedin, has taken Aki's spot on the bench after captaining the midweek Ireland side to their first win over the Maori All Blacks.

Ireland’s Jordan Larmour celebrates scoring a try against the Maori All Blacks with Keith Earls (Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland)

Meanwhile, New Zealand have recalled fit-again lock Sam Whitelock in a shaken-up side for Saturday's series-deciding third test.

Under huge pressure following the All Blacks' 23-12 defeat in Dunedin last weekend, Foster rung the changes to his starting side, while handing rugby league convert Roger Tuivasa-Sheck a potential test debut off the bench.

Whitelock's return from concussion sees Scott Barrett shift to the back row to start at blindside flanker in place of the demoted Dalton Papalii.

Making room for vaunted Auckland Blues centre Tuivasa-Sheck, Will Jordan has been promoted to start on the right wing, with Sevu Reece shifting to the left.

Experienced prop Nepo Laulala replaces tighthead Ofa Tuungafasi as Foster looks to his forwards to rebound after they were shaded by the Irish in Dunedin.

David Havili, who was expected to play in the first test at Eden Park but was one of three players ruled out after positive COVID-19 tests, starts at inside centre in place of the discarded Quinn Tupaea.

In a much-changed bench, experienced hooker Dane Coles comes in for his first test appearance of the season along with loose forward Akira Ioane.

New Zealand: 15-Jordie Barrett, 14-Will Jordan, 13-Rieko Ioane, 12-David Havili, 11-Sevu Reece, 10-Beauden Barrett, 9-Aaron Smith, 8-Ardie Savea, 7-Sam Cane (captain), 6-Scott Barrett, 5-Sam Whitelock, 4-Brodie Retallick, 3-Nepo Laulala, 2-Codie Taylor, 1-George Bower

Replacements: 16-Dane Coles, 17-Aidan Ross, 18-Ofa Tuungafasi, 19-Akira Ioane, 20-Dalton Papalii, 21-Folau Fakatava, 22-Richie Mo'unga, 23-Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Ireland: 15-Hugo Keenan, 14-Mack Hansen, 13-Bundee Aki, 12-Robbie Henshaw, 11-James Lowe, 10-Johnny Sexton (captain), 9-Jamison Gibson Park, 8-Caelan Doris, 7-Josh van der Flier, 6-Peter O'Mahony, 5-James Ryan, 4-Tadhg Beirne, 3-Tadhg Furlong, 2-Dan Sheehan, 1-Andrew Porter

Replacements: 16-Rob Herring, 17-Cian Healy, 18-Finlay Bealham, 19-Kieran Treadwell, 20-Jack Conan, 21-Conor Murray, 22-Joey Carbery, 23-Keith Earls

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