Andy Farrell: Dave Rennie has brought a bit of All Blacks steel back

Head coach Andy Farrell during an Ireland Rugby media conference. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

As Andy Farrell rang the changes and brought back the A-listers for Saturday’s crunch Nations Championship Test against the All Blacks at Eden Park, the respected coach said Dave Rennie had re-established New Zealand's rugby "DNA" and brought back some "steel" to the three-time world champions.

In total, Farrell has brought in nine new faces, most of whom beat the Wallabies 33-31 in the opening game on tour in Sydney earlier this month, but they have regained the services of Robert Baloucoune, the Ulster flyer who scored three tries in four matches during the Six Nations.

Farrell has also rewarded form, with New Zealand-born and raised loose-forward Sean Jansen selected on the bench after claiming player of the match honours on debut against Japan last weekend.

With Tadhg Beirne selected at blindside flanker, Farrell opted against having second-row cover on the bench and has instead selected the 27-year-old Jansen as well as fellow loose-forward option Nick Timoney.

Replacement loose-head prop Jeremy Loughman also returns via the bench after his concussion against the Wallabies.

Farrell’s side is otherwise predictable and strong, with Ireland going all out to not just finish their season on a high, but keep their unbeaten streak alive in the Nations Championship and, most importantly, to end the All Blacks’ 31-year, 51-Test winning run at the Garden of Eden in Auckland.

Unusually mild conditions in Auckland have kept the spirits high all week.

It’s allowed for a perfect build-up for both sides, including Ireland who have had all eyes on this fixture from the moment they arrived down under almost three weeks ago.

After saying that Ireland needed to produce the “performance of their lives” to topple the All Blacks at their “Mecca” late last weekend, Farrell reiterated his excitement for the opportunity to go to Eden Park and try to make history.

“Yeah, it's fantastic,” he said.

“I feel we're the fortunate ones, we're the lucky ones in the sense that we get the opportunity to go to Eden Park. We had that fortune in 22, the first game up, and obviously we couldn't get that over the line.

“So, we're pretty lucky to be back there and have another shot at it.”

On Jansen, Farrell said he expected the abrasive loose-forward, who left New Zealand in 2022 after failing to get an opportunity in Super Rugby, to simply continue to go about his business.

“I obviously said after the game that he's a fantastic example of how to nail your debut,” Farrell said.

“Basically, he's just been himself. He is and he doesn't let the game or the thought of a first cap or anything like that get in the way of producing what he knows he's all about. And you just know he's going to be able to do that again on Saturday.” 

Dan Sheehan captains the side at hooker and is joined in the front-row by Tom O’Toole and Tadhg Furlong, while Joe McCarthy and James Ryan resume their second-row combination to round out the tight-five.

Berine offers Ireland plenty at blindside flanker, with the British and Irish Lions star edging out Cian Prendergast for a spot on the side of the scrum. He’s joined by Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan in the back-row.

Sam Prendergast returns at out-half and partners the excellent Jamison Gibson-Park in the halves.

Farrell thought about including Robbie Henshaw after his impressive outing last week but has once again rolled Stuart McCloskey out alongside Garry Ringrose in the midfield.

Baloucoune gives Ireland plenty of pace out wide and he’s joined in a lively and threatening back three trio alongside Hugo Keenan and Jimmy O’Brien, who starts for the third time on this tour.

Former Chiefs star Bundee Aki will come off the bench and once again offer Ireland plenty of potency in the second half.

Ireland came from behind to beat the All Blacks 2-1 on New Zealand soil in 2022, but their one loss on tour was a 41-19 defeat at Eden Park.

Since then, the All Blacks have won three straight Tests, including the 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris, winning 28-24.

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie will name his squad later today.

Farrell said he thought Rennie had re-established the All Blacks’ DNA since taking over.

“I've been super impressed. I've obviously followed Dave's career, a very impressive one at that, and understand fully how his sides like to play,” Farrell said.

“We've seen that with the Chiefs, and certainly saw it in Glasgow, the effect that he had, and obviously being successful in Japan just shows. And I also thought he did a fantastic job in Australia as well.

“I think the style of rugby suits the DNA of how New Zealand as a rugby playing nation want to play, and he's brought a bit of steel back to them as well. So, it certainly makes them very dangerous on Saturday.”