Veteran hooker named in All Blacks team to face Ireland

Andrew Hore has been named to start against Ireland in what could possibly be his last All Blacks Test.

The veteran hooker, who hasn't got a Super Rugby contract for next year, is one of seven changes to the starting 15 to play Ireland on Sunday.

Hore is joined by props Wyatt Crockett and Charlie Faumuina, in a completely new front-row to that which faced England, while Luke Romano comes in at lock, Steven Luatua to blindside flanker, Aaron Cruden into first-five-eighth and Cory Jane snaring a place on the right wing.

The strong All Blacks line-up, which boasts 798 Test caps experience and an average age of 26, features two injury-enforced changes from the team that beat England last weekend.

Cruden replaces Dan Carter in the starting 15 and prop Crockett replaces Tony Woodcock, while Beauden Barrett and prop Ben Franks named on the bench.

Jane replaces Charles Piutau, while in the forwards, Romano's selection sees Brodie Retallick move to the bench, along with Sam Cane who provides cover for the loose forwards. Hore takes Keven Mealamu's place in the No. 2 jersey.

The squad also features the inclusion of uncapped halfback TJ Perenara on the bench.

"This Test against the Irish is another great opportunity for the team to put in a performance we can all be proud of," All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.

"Though we have won the last two Tests on the Air New Zealand European Tour (against France and England), we would like to see an improvement on those two performances."

"We love playing in Ireland and have a lot of respect for the Irish. We well remember the second Test against them in Christchurch last year (when the All Blacks just won 22-19) and we know that if our minds aren't totally on the job in our preparation this week and in the game on Sunday, then we will suffer."

All Blacks:1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Andrew Hore, 3. Charlie Faumuina, 4. Luke Romano, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. Steven Luatua, 7. Richie McCaw (c), 8. Kieran Read, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Aaron Cruden, 11. Julian Savea, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 13. Ben Smith, 14. Cory Jane, 15. Israel Dagg.

Subs: 16. Dane Coles, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Owen Franks, 19. Brodie Retallick, 20. Sam Cane, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Beauden Barrett, 23. Ryan Crotty.