Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland – A Clash of Old Allies and New Rivals
It wasn’t so long ago that Andrew Goodman was a part of Razor’s red and black clad gang that owned Super Rugby.
But the man who once worked with the All Blacks coach at the Crusaders now works for another group, one that wears the Emerald Green of Ireland, and is plotting against the All Blacks head coach.
Goodman’s Past Connections Run Deep at Aviva Stadium
And Robertson is far from the only familiar face Ireland assistant Goodman will set eyes upon when coaches and players make their way on to Dublin’s Aviva Stadium and begin their pre-test routine on Saturday morning (NZT).
Having helped the Crusaders win five crowns under Robertson between 2018-2022, Goodman also rubbed shoulders with All Blacks assistants Scott Hansen, Jason Ryan and Tamati Ellison at Christchurch’s Rugby Park. Goodman is among the few assistants who worked with Robertson at the Crusaders but did not join his All Blacks team.
From Crusaders to Leinster: Goodman’s Journey to Ireland
Having worked closely with a bunch of All Blacks players during his time working for the Crusaders and Tasman Mako, Goodman was alongside Robertson for all but two of the seven Super Rugby titles he won between 2017-2023, assisting with defence and individual technical development for two seasons, followed by three as backs coach.
Highly rated by Robertson, players and Crusaders management, he was tipped as Robertson’s successor well before New Zealand Rugby appointed the most successful Super Rugby coach in history in charge of the All Blacks early last year.
Turning to the Irish Green: Goodman’s New Pathway
Goodman chose to join Irish club Leinster after the 2022 season. When the Crusaders began reaching out to potential candidates to replace Robertson last year, it quickly became evident that Goodman wouldn’t be returning home; instead, there was a pathway for him with the Irish national team.
In December, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell announced that Goodman had signed on as backs coach through to the 2027 World Cup. After observing Ireland’s tour to South Africa in July, Goodman stepped into the role full-time, replacing Mike Catt, and took charge of the backs for the world No. 1 side ahead of the autumn tests.
A High-Stakes Rematch Awaits
Goodman’s timing is impeccable, as he will face his former team in Saturday’s highly anticipated rematch of last year’s World Cup quarterfinal in Paris.
Following their clash with the All Blacks, Ireland will go on to face Argentina, Fiji, and Australia.
Meanwhile, loosehead prop Ethan de Groot remains side lined by All Blacks selectors due to a breach of team standards.
Robertson Sticks to His Selection Choices Despite Temptation
Head coach Scott Robertson has left the 26-year-old out of his squad for the second consecutive week, meaning he will miss Saturday morning’s (NZT) blockbuster test against Ireland.
While it may have been tempting to field the team’s first-choice loosehead against the world No. 1 Irish, Robertson has opted to start Tamaiti Williams, despite some challenges he faced against England at Twickenham last week.
With head injuries side lining hooker Codie Taylor and fly-half Beauden Barrett, Asafo Aumua will step in for Taylor, while Damian McKenzie takes on the No. 10 jersey he’s held for much of this season.
All Blacks Line-Up for Saturday’s Showdown
All Blacks: Will Jordan, Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Wallace Sititi, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett (capt), Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Tamaiti Williams. Reserves: George Bell, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samipeni Finau, Cam Roigard, Anton Lienert-Brown, Stephen Perofeta.
Ireland’s Adjustments: Key Changes in the Forward Pack
Injured tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong has been replaced by Finlay Bealham in the Ireland side facing New Zealand in the autumn test on Saturday (9.10am NZT).
Furlong, a two-tour Lion, carried a hamstring strain into their training camp in Portugal and it hasn’t healed.
Ireland was already missing another first-choice front-rower, hooker Dan Sheehan, but received a boost with Ronan Kelleher declared fit after an ankle issue a month ago had cast doubt on his availability. Rob Herring, despite not having played since July, will serve as the reserve hooker.
Bealham the Only Change to Ireland’s Pack Since July
Bealham is the only change to the forward pack that started against South Africa in Durban in July, when Ireland stunned the Springboks 25-24 to level the series. That was Ireland’s last test match.
No. 8 Caelan Doris continues to lead as captain.
Returning Backs Add Depth to Ireland’s Attack
Backs Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, and Hugo Keenan have returned after missing the South Africa tour. Gibson-Park and Hansen were sidelined by injuries, while Keenan was with the Ireland Sevens, preparing for the Paris Olympics.
Hansen, out with a shoulder injury, hasn’t played for Ireland since their World Cup quarterfinal loss to New Zealand in Paris a year ago.
Inside center Bundee Aki is also back in the lineup after being dropped for the second test against the Springboks.
Ireland’s Bench: Veteran Experience and Strategic Depth
The bench features three centurions—Cian Healy, Peter O’Mahony, and Conor Murray—as well as lock Iain Henderson, a two-time British & Irish Lion who missed the South Africa series.
O’Mahony confirmed his fitness after a recent hamstring injury, playing a 40-minute stint for Munster against the All Blacks XV last weekend.
Ireland Squad for the All Blacks Showdown
Ireland: Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Caelan Doris (capt), Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Joe McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter. Reserves: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley, Jamie Osborne
In other Rugby Union Test matches this weekend,
England v Australia—-Italy v Argentina—– France v Japan —-Wales v Fiji— and Scotland v South Africa
MY PICKS ARE. All Blacks, England, Argentina, France, Wales, and South Africa.
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