New Zealand will be without two key players for next Friday’s match against Ireland after out-half Beauden Barrett and hooker Codie Taylor were ruled out.
The All Blacks made it two wins from two in their autumn campaign yesterday, outlasting England in a 24-22 thriller following the previous weekend’s dominant win over Japan.
Next up for rookie New Zealand coach Scott Robertson is a fixture against Andy Farrell’s men under lights at the Aviva Stadium, in what is a rematch of the 2023 World Cup quarter-final – which the All Blacks won.
However, the Kiwis will go into Friday’s game without two important players. Both Barrett and Taylor left the field at Twickenham yesterday with head injuries, and Robertson has confirmed that they will not be available later this week.
For New Zealand, it will likely mean that Damian McKenzie starts at out-half, with the talented playmaker kicking the winning conversion against England on Saturday after Mark Telea’s late try in the corner.