Damian McKenzie will start at out-half for New Zealand in Friday night’s sold-out clash with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium. As expected, McKenzie has replaced the injured Beauden Barrett in one of two enforced changes from the side that beat England at Twickenham last weekend. With Barrett and hooker Codie Taylor sidelined by respective head injuries, All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has also promoted Asafo Aumua from the bench. McKenzie, who started the majority of New Zealand’s Rugby Championship games in the No 10 shirt, will link up with scrum-half Cortez Ratima. Reps: G Bell, O Tu’ungafasi, P Tosi, P Tuipulotu, S Finau, C Roigard, A Linert-Brown, S Perofeta.

Source: Irish Independent November 06, 2024 17:48 UTC