Riding high after an historic first win over the All Blacks in New Zealand, Ireland are ready to unleash "chaos" in Wellington on Saturday to upset the hosts again and claim a seismic series victory.
Bundee Aki in action against the All Blacks in Dunedin. Photo: PhotoSport / Blake Armstrong
Spanked in the Eden Park opener, Andy Farrell's men rebounded magnificently against the shorthanded hosts in Dunedin to set up a mouth-watering third test decider that brings the tension of a World Cup knockout a year early for fans.
Tenacious Ireland have relished their role as New Zealand disruptors, winning four of the last seven matches they have played against the three-times world champions.
They will need to lift again in Wellington, where a chastened All Blacks team are likely to come out breathing fire.
Farrell believes his team have it in them to improve and create more history in a land where the hosts have not suffered back-to-back defeats since 1998.
"They've got a plan but it's up to us, like I keep saying, to bring a bit of chaos to that plan," said Farrell.
"And we've got to make sure we put a bit of doubt in the All Blacks' minds as the game goes, like every other game."
Farrell has entrusted the same players with that task, making only one injury-enforced change to his starting 15, promoting Bundee Aki to replace inside centre Garry Ringrose.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster, meanwhile, has shaken up his side and will look to seasoned leaders to stave off the Irish threat and potentially save his job.
Sam Whitelock is back from injury for the last Test in the series. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Lock Sam Whitelock, prop Nepo Laulala and inside centre David Havili return to add experience to the starting lineup, while rugby league convert Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is a wildcard on the bench, the Blues centre primed for a test debut.
With the All Blacks beaten in three of their last four matches, including defeat to the Irish in Dublin last November, another loss would trigger panic stations in New Zealand and put Foster's job on very thin ice.
If feeling the heat, Foster hid it well at his media conference on Thursday, speaking of relishing the challenge ahead.
"I don't think we're learning it, but everyone else is learning that this is a high quality team that we're playing against," he said of Ireland.
"It's a great examination for us so we've got to show that we're smart and we're learning as well."
Home fans will hope that means more discipline from the All Blacks, who drew two yellow cards and had prop Angus Ta'avao dismissed in little more than half an hour at Dunedin.
Fans and media pundits have raged over the officiating in the series, criticising the strict application of high contact rules and the regular disruptions brought by the referees consulting with TV match officials.
English referee Wayne Barnes will control the match in Wellington.
Foster said no-one wanted to see contests decided by player dismissals.
"I think there is a wider discussion about where the game is going and do we want to keep seeing contests that are a little bit lop-sided in numbers?" he said.
"So I think we've got to find a way."
-Reuters
