2022 Ireland rugby union tour of New Zealand explained
In July 2022, Ireland played a 3 match test series against New Zealand as part of the 2022 mid-year rugby union internationals.[1] Ireland also played two matches against the Māori All Blacks.[2] This was Ireland's first tour since their tour to Australia in 2018, their first tour to New Zealand since 2012, and their first encounter against New Zealand since November 2021.
In the first test, at Auckland’s Eden Park, New Zealand comfortably beat the visitors 42–19.
In the second test, in Dunedin, Ireland prevailed by 23–12 scoring their first victory against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil, and recorded their fourth win over New Zealand.[3] [4]
The following week Ireland became just the fifth touring side to achieve a series win in New Zealand, beating the All Blacks 32–22 in Wellington for a 2–1 series victory.[5] The feat had only been previously accomplished by South Africa (1937), Australia (1949, 1986), the British & Irish Lions (1971), and France (1994).[6]
Fixtures
Squads
Note: Ages, caps and clubs are as per 17 July 2022, the day after the end of the tour.
Ireland
On 14 June, Ireland named a 40-man squad for their 3-test series for the New Zealand tour.[8]
Coaching team:[9]
New Zealand
On 13 June the All Blacks' squad was announced, including six potential debutants.[10] On 17 June New Zealand Rugby (NZR) announced lock Josh Lord had been ruled out of the tour with a ruptured ACL.[11] On 27 June it was announced head coach Ian Foster, assistant coaches John Plumtree and Scott McLeod, and centres David Havili and Jack Goodhue had been ruled out of the first test after testing positive for Covid-19. Former Ireland head coach, Joe Schmidt was called in to coach New Zealand ahead of their first test against Ireland.[12] [13] [14] Braydon Ennor was called into the squad as a midfield cover.
Coaching team:[15]
Matches
First test
Notes:
Second test
Notes:- This was Ireland's first ever victory over New Zealand in New Zealand.
- Scott Barrett (New Zealand) earned his 50th test cap.
- Folau Fakatava and Aidan Ross (New Zealand) made their international debuts.
Second match vs Māori All Blacks
Notes:- This was Ireland's first ever victory over the Māori All Blacks.[17]
- Finlay Bealham was originally named on the Ireland bench, but was replaced on match day by Michael Bent.
Third test
Notes:- New Zealand's Scott Barrett (starting XV) and Aidan Ross had both been named in the team, but withdrew from the team ahead of kickoff. Akira Ioane replaced Barrett in the starting XV with Tupou Vaa'i joining the bench, whilst Karl Tu'inukuafe replaced Ross.
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand) made his international debut.
- Ireland won a first test series in New Zealand for the first time in history.[18]
- This was the first time since 1994, and just the fifth in history, that New Zealand lost a home test series.
- This was the first time since 1998 that New Zealand lost back-to-back home test matches.
- This was the first time that Ireland won back-to-back matches against New Zealand.
- With this win, Ireland claimed top spot in the World Rugby Rankings for the first time since 2019.[19]
See also
Notes and References
- News: Ireland set for three-Test tour of New Zealand in 2022. 14 November 2018. 26 May 2022. Thornley, Grant. The Irish Times.
- Web site: Ireland To Play Māori All Blacks Twice On Summer Tour. 16 May 2022. 26 May 2022. Irish Rugby Football Union.
- Web site: Super Ireland make history with victory over All Blacks . RTE . 9 July 2022.
- Web site: Ireland beat All Blacks in New Zealand for first time in their history. 9 July 2022. Guardian. 12 July 2022.
- Web site: Ireland stun the All Blacks to become just the fifth touring side to win series in New Zealand . the42 . 16 July 2022.
- Web site: Ireland clinch Steinlager Series . AllBlacks.com . 16 July 2022.
- Web site: 16 May 2022. MĀORI ALL BLACKS TO PLAY TWO-MATCH SERIES AGAINST IRELAND. 26 May 2022. AllBlacks.com.
- Web site: Andy Farrell Names 40 Player Squad For New Zealand Tour. 15 June 2022. 14 June 2022. Irish Rugby Football Union.
- News: Management. 15 June 2022. Irish Rugby Football Union.
- News: Recap: All Blacks squad announcement for Ireland test series. 13 June 2022. 13 June 2022. Stuff. Goile, Aaron.
- News: All Black Josh Lord ruled out for rest of 2022 with injury. 17 June 2022. 2 July 2022. 1 News.
- News: 27 June 2022 . Joe Schmidt: Ex-Ireland head coach to prepare All Blacks for first Test . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20220627151458/https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/61942697 . 27 June 2022 . 28 June 2022.
- News: 27 June 2022 . Joe Schmidt joins New Zealand after Covid fells coaches before Ireland tour, Hansen tests positive . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20220628132827/https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2022/0627/1307014-joe-schmidt-joins-nz-after-covid-fells-kiwi-coaches/ . 28 June 2022 . 28 June 2022.
- News: Napier . Liam . 27 June 2022 . Rugby: Joe Schmidt to join All Blacks after Covid-19 outbreak hits days before first Ireland test . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20220627193911/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby-joe-schmidt-to-join-all-blacks-after-covid-19-outbreak-hits-days-before-first-ireland-test/OVGWIOUEP3WNBMYHXPSJXZI7EM/ . 27 June 2022 . 28 June 2022.
- News: 'We need to get better': All Blacks confirm two new additions to coaching staff. 8 April 2022. 13 June 2022. RugbyPass.
- Web site: Sexton injury adds to Ireland woes in crushing defeat by New Zealand. 2 July 2022. Guardian. 5 July 2022.
- Web site: Ireland secure historic victory over Māori All Blacks . 2022-07-13 . NZ Herald . en-NZ.
- Web site: Ireland stun All Blacks again to make history with series triumph. 16 July 2022. Guardian. 19 July 2022.
- Web site: Top of the world: Ireland secure number one ranking with victory in New Zealand. 16 July 2022. The 42. 19 July 2022.
Ian Foster