New Zealand vs Ireland Preview & Prediction | 2026 Nations Championship | Round 3
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The tie of the round sees New Zealand entertain Ireland in Auckland, with both sides having won their first two matches of the inaugural Nations Championship.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / USA – RugbyPass TV
New Zealand team news: Love preferred to Barrett
Squad: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Anton Segner, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Caleb Clarke
Ireland team news: Baloucoune recalled
Squad: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jimmy O’Brien, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Tadgh Beirne, 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan (captain), 1 Tom O’Toole
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Jeremy Loughman, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Nick Timoney, 20 Sean Jansen, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Bundee Aki
New Zealand vs Ireland prediction
Will Jordan scored a hat-trick as he became New Zealand's all-time record try-scorer in the 47-17 win over Italy in Wellington last week, as head coach Dave Rennie continued the positive start he has made to his All Blacks tenure.
That is now two wins from two for the three-time world champions, who narrowly defeated France in their Nations Championship opener, and they will be keen to sign off the southern hemisphere swing of this new tournament with another statement victory.
Ireland sit atop the northern hemisphere standings after a bonus-point victory over Japan last weekend, but they were made to work for their 36-20 victory in a match staged in Australia.
The strength in depth of this Irish side was on display though, as Andy Farrell had made nine changes for that contest following their narrow win over Australia a week prior.
Farrell has urged his men to go in the front foot against the All Blacks here, and that could lead to a high-scoring match in Auckland as spaces open up. The All Blacks are the natural favourites on home turf, but Ireland are more than capable of doing some damage themselves in what could be a classic.
New Zealand vs Ireland tip: Over 57.5 points
