Four changes on Ireland A team to tackle New Zealand Maori

THE Ireland A team to play New Zealand Maori in tonight’s Pool B Churchill Cup tie shows four changes from that which defeated USA 28-13 last weekend.

Full-back Bryn Cunningham, centre Kieran Lewis, scrum-half Chris Keane and No. 6 Roger Wilson all get a first run out at the Buck Shaw Stadium in San Francisco (10pm, Irish time).

Ireland A are again captained by Shane Jennings, who says: “The Maori pose a massive threat to us. They have previously won this tournament and again have a quality set of players with them — but we won’t take a backward step and are definitely looking forward to the game. We have a young team and everyone is fired up to make an impression.”

The Maori form is most impressive.

Lock Kristian Ormsby scored four tries in a man-of-the-match performance as they routed the United States 74-6 in their opening game on Thursday.

After organising and adjusting their set pieces and tidying up the tackle area in the first 15 minutes, the Maori were unstoppable in running in 12 tries. Winger Cory Jane crossed for three and Liam Messam two as the New Zealanders displayed a powerful and balanced game using their forwards and backs.

The other Maori tries came from winger Zar Lawrence, full-back Shannon Paku and tighthead prop Mike Noble. Otago outhalf Matt Berquist, who is moving to Hawkes Bay for the Air New Zealand Cup, kicked seven conversions.

IRELAND A: B Cunningham (Dungannon/Ulster), S Keogh (Harlequins), K Lewis (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), D Quinlan (Northampton Saints), R Kearney (UCD/Leinster), P Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster), C Keane (Buccaneers/Connacht), R Hogan (Galwegians/Connacht) , J Fogarty (Buccaneers/Connacht) , T Court (Ballymena/Ulster), T Hogan (Shannon/Munster), M McCullough (Ballymena/Ulster) , R Wilson (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), S Jennings (Leicester Tigers) (capt) , J Heaslip (Clontarf/Leinster).

Replacements: B Blaney (Terenure College/Leinster), D Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), D Browne (Northampton Saints), N McMillan (Ballymena/Ulster), T O’Leary (Dolphin/Munster), E Hickey (UCD/Leinster), TBC.