All Blacks coach Scott Robertson says he’s settled on a team to tackle Ireland in Chicago on November 1, while the northern hemisphere side is battling injury concerns to their backline.
Robertson told The Breakdown he had been preparing for the clash since the end of their Rugby Championship campaign, where they placed second behind South Africa, ending with two wins over Australia.
“We know how we’re going to play Ireland, we’ve had a couple of weeks to prepare for that and we’re pretty clear on what Test team’s going to play in that game,” Robertson said.
“When we get together on Wednesday, we’ve got a couple of days camp in Auckland before we fly out to Chicago, so that team will be ready.”
Scott Robertson head coach of New Zealand during the New Zealand v Australia Rugby Championship match at Eden Park on September 27, 2025 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Craig Butland/MB Media/Getty Images)
Robertson was asked about how he might continue to refresh the team with new talent, but made it clear the focus was on winning.
“It’s the best team to win that Test match. I think the first thing is Ireland and giving them a crack.
“We’ve had a few injuries this year, we haven’t had time to get them match fit and other guys have come in, and it’s been a bit in and out.
“There has been stuff in-game where you’re trying to get balance and you want to give guys opportunities to play at the backend and we haven’t had a chance to do that.
“You sort of learn along the way that you try and bring the best team for the team that’s in front of you, but give yourself a chance to get enough connections and enough training during the week, and have enough experience on there and then give a young guy a crack.”
After a humbling defeat to South Africa in Wellington, the All Blacks powered back by retaining the Bledisloe Cup.
“Those two Tests against Australia, we played some really good footy under a lot of pressure; two teams that were extremely hungry,” Robertson said.
“We go on in with a good mental state going north, we’ve got a hungry group and a key group just to add to our legacy, I think that’s really key.”
Meanwhile Ireland’s Mack Hansen has been ruled out of next week’s Test, while fellow British & Irish Lions Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw are in doubt.
Hansen aggravated a foot injury in Connacht’s 28-27 loss to the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship in Galway on Saturday (AEDT) and will not travel with the squad on Wednesday as they prepare for the November 1 game at Soldier Field.
Aki and Henshaw will travel with the squad but Aki has a hip injury, although he also played for Connacht at the weekend.
Henshaw went off with a groin injury in Leinster’s 31-14 defeat by Munster in the URC in Dublin on Sunday.
Uncapped Munster forwards Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson are also out of the squad because of injury but Jimmy O’Brien and Tom Farrell have been added to the travelling party.
Munster centre Farrell, 31, had a first international call-up six years ago in the Six Nations but did not play. O’Brien has 10 caps.
The pair will remain in the squad for the home Tests against Japan, Australia and South Africa next month.
(With agencies)
The Roarhttps://www.theroar.com.au/2025/10/21/hungry-group-razor-gives-all-blacks-selection-hint-as-ireland-face-injury-dramas-ahead-of-clash/‘Hungry group’: Razor gives All Blacks selection hint as Ireland face injury dramas ahead of clash
Post a Comment