New Zealand shift Vaa'i to blindside, Ireland recall Baloucoune for Nations Championship test at Eden Park
New Zealand coach Dave Rennie has moved Tupou Vaa'i to blindside flanker and again left out Beauden Barrett, while Ireland welcome back wing Rob Baloucoune for Saturday's Nations Championship match in Auckland.
Team selections
New Zealand made four changes to the side that beat Italy, with Tupou Vaa'i shifting from lock to blindside flanker. Josh Lord and Patrick Tuipulotu come into the second row, while Quinn Tupaea and Josh Moorby start in the backline. Beauden Barrett, a 144-Test veteran, is omitted for the third straight match as coach Dave Rennie continues with Ruben Love at fly-half. Rennie said Ireland are "one of the best sides in the world" and that his team rewards players who have impressed.
Ireland made nine changes from the win over Japan, recalling captain Dan Sheehan, prop Tadhg Furlong and fly-half Sam Prendergast. Rob Baloucoune returns on the wing after missing the first two matches with a hamstring injury. Jimmy O'Brien keeps his place on the left wing after strong performances, with coach Andy Farrell saying O'Brien has been "really on top of his game". Tadhg Beirne starts at blindside flanker, a move that may address lineout issues.
Lineout concerns
Ireland's lineout success rate has dropped to 80% in the Nations Championship, down from 94.7% during the Six Nations. At least three opposition tries have come directly from botched Irish throws. Against Japan, Ireland won just 78% of their own ball on 18 throws, while against Australia the figure was 82% from 22 set-pieces. The return of Beirne, a specialist lineout operator, is seen as a response to those problems.
He's been in great form. Over the last three or four weeks, it's been obvious that he's been really on top of his game.
- Six Nations 2026
- 94.7 %
- vs Australia
- 82 %
- vs Japan
- 78 %
Eden Park fortress
New Zealand have not lost at Eden Park since 1994, a run of 51 or 52 Tests depending on the count. Ireland aim to end that streak and complete a clean sweep of their southern hemisphere leg. Both sides have won their opening two matches in the inaugural Nations Championship, with New Zealand beating France and Italy and Ireland overcoming Australia and Japan.
Ireland have been one of the best sides in the world for a number of years now. They are very experienced and well-coached and will have belief on the back of their recent success here.
What's at stake
The match is New Zealand's last before a four-Test tour to South Africa. For Ireland, it is the final fixture of their tour down under. A victory would give either side a significant boost in the new competition. Kick-off is at 08:10 BST on Saturday.
