The selection tells its own story. With Ireland coming to Eden Park and the All Blacks’ 52-match unbeaten run in Auckland on the line, Dave Rennie has made nine changes to the side, including five in the starting XV and four on the bench. The headline move is Tupou Vaa’i shifting to blindside flanker, a reminder that this match is being approached as both a test of combinations and a test of nerve.
Rennie’s team sheet is not simply about rotation for its own sake. It reflects a clear attempt to keep building after recent rounds while also rewarding players who have impressed. That balance matters in a match like this, where selection has to serve two masters: stability against a strong opponent and enough freshness to preserve intensity across 80 minutes.
What changed in the All Blacks 23
Vaa’i’s move to No 6 is the most notable selection call, and it is also his third change at blindside in as many tests. Last August, he started there in a 29-23 loss to Argentina in Buenos Aires. Against France, Peter Lakai filled the role, and against Italy it was Wallace Sititi, with the All Blacks going on to win in Wellington. That sequence says a lot about where Rennie is still searching for the right fit.
There is also a selection note that carries some caution with it. Patrick Tuipulotu had previously been withdrawn on game day with a calf issue in Christchurch, so the All Blacks will be hoping this latest 23 can stay intact long enough to settle into the contest. In a match against an experienced Ireland side, continuity matters almost as much as raw talent.
Why the bench matters
Rennie made clear that the finish to the game is likely to matter as much as the start. He said the All Blacks know how important the bench will be against a tenacious Ireland team, which explains why the replacements include players the staff believe can influence the course of the match. That is sensible logic against an opponent with recent success in New Zealand and enough belief to make this more than a routine home test.
Rennie also framed Ireland as one of the best sides in the world for several years, adding that they are well coached and experienced. That is not just respectful pre-match language. It is an acknowledgement that this is the sort of fixture where small selection decisions can become decisive, especially if the game tightens late.
The broader picture is straightforward enough: the All Blacks have kept winning in Auckland, but runs like that are always vulnerable to one stubborn opponent and one imperfect afternoon. This 23 suggests Rennie is trying to protect the foundations of the side while still adjusting the pieces around the edge. If it works, the selection will look shrewd. If it does not, the debate around blindside flanker may only get louder.
