Sam Whitelock and Tadhg Beirne’s back-row battle could decide Test series

New Zealand’s Sam Whitelock, left, and Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne are set for an intriguing second-row battle (PA)

New Zealand and Ireland meet on Saturday for a mouth-watering series decider at Sky Stadium in Wellington.

The formidable All Blacks cruised to victory in the opening Test in Auckland a fortnight ago before falling to a first home defeat to the Irish last weekend in Dunedin.