DUBLIN — In the lead-up to the autumn test match against New Zealand on Friday, Ireland has made a significant adjustment to its lineup due to an injury. Tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong, who has been a key player for the team and participated in two Lion tours, has been ruled out after suffering an injury during the training camp in Portugal. Stepping in for Furlong is Finlay Bealham, who took over the position on Wednesday, with Tom O’Toole providing additional backup.
The team faces further challenges as Dan Sheehan, another first-choice player and the hooker, is also unavailable. However, there is a positive note with Ronan Kelleher now fit to play after having previously struggled with an ankle injury that put his participation in jeopardy for about a month. Rob Herring will serve as the reserve hooker, even though he hasn’t seen game action since July.
Bealham is the only alteration in the forward pack that last played together in July, where Ireland delivered a surprising victory against South Africa, defeating them 25-24 in Durban, which marked their last test match. Caelan Doris will continue in his role as captain, leading the team into this vital encounter.
The backs have also seen some changes; Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, and Hugo Keenan are returning after missing the previous tour. Both Gibson-Park and Hansen were side-lined due to injuries, while Keenan was engaged with the Ireland sevens team as they prepared for the upcoming Paris Olympics. Hansen has not featured for Ireland since the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against New Zealand a year ago, due to a shoulder problem. Additionally, inside center Bundee Aki rejoins the squad after previously being omitted for the second test against the Springboks.
The reserves bench boasts three veteran centurions: Cian Healy, Peter O’Mahony, and Conor Murray, along with lock Iain Henderson, who missed the South Africa series but is a seasoned two-tour Lion. O’Mahony confirmed his recovery from a hamstring injury just last weekend, playing for 40 minutes for Munster against the All Blacks XV. The backline also includes newcomers Ciaran Frawley and Jamie Osborne, with Frawley notably having kicked two crucial drop goals to win the match in Durban.
On the other side of the pitch, the All Blacks have been forced to make two adjustments due to concussions sustained by hooker Codie Taylor and flyhalf Beauden Barrett in their 24-22 victory over England at Twickenham. Asafo Aumua will start in place of Taylor, having stepped in shortly after the game began, while Damian McKenzie returns to the No. 10 position, a spot he has held in nine out of the eleven tests this year.
In addition, hooker George Bell is set for his potential third appearance from the bench, while utility back Stephen Perofeta could make his seventh appearance. Ethan de Groot, one of their primary looseheads this season, continues to be unavailable after a breach of team protocols but has been confirmed as eligible for the game against Ireland.
Here are the lineups for the upcoming match:
**Ireland**: Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Caelan Doris (captain), Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Joe McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter. **Reserves**: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley, Jamie Osborne.
**New Zealand**: Will Jordan, Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Wallace Sititi, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett (captain), Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Tamaiti Williams. **Reserves**: George Bell, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samipeni Finau, Cam Roigard, Anton Lienert-Brown, Stephen Perofeta.