Making the All Blacks team against Ireland with Lomax
New Zealand has unveiled an unsurprising line-up for Saturday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Ireland (9pm) at Stade de France.
New Zealand right-hander Tyrell Lomax, who injured one knee against Uruguay, will start for the All Blacks in their quarter-final against Ireland on Saturday (9pm), according to the squad revealed on Thursday. Uncertain due to an internal collateral ligament injury, Lomax must keep his place, unlike spinner Marc Tilia, who is absent from the group to face XV du Trèfle, the No. 1 team in the world. Future three-quarters from Toulon, Leicester Fainga'anuku are favored on the left side.
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Regardless of this situation, Ian Foster is relying on his model team, a team that was unable to play against France in the opening match, as Lomax, Shannon Frizell and finally captain Sam Keane were injured. Unsurprisingly, the Beauden brothers, Gordie and Scott Barrett, should start the game. So did captain Sam Kean and winger Shannon Frizell, the All Blacks' X-factor in their upset of South Africa in the Rugby Championship this summer (35-20).
In the third row, they will have a hard time facing off against their impressive Irish counterparts Josh van der Flier, Kaylan Doris and Peter O'Mahony. On the bench, 2011 and 2015 world champion Samuel Whitlock, in the second row, should get the 151st and perhaps final selection for the XV at La Fougere as he must retire internationally at the end of the World Cup.
New Zealand composition:
B. Barrett – Jordan, Ioane, J. Barrett, Fainga'anuku, – (o) Mo'unga, (m) Smith – Cane (cap.), Savea, Frizell – S. Barrett, Retallick – Lomax, Taylor, De Groot
Subs: Coles, Williams, Newell, Whitlock, Papalii, Christie, McKenzie, Lienert-Brown