Ireland rugby coach Joe Schmidt gives his team a fighting chance of toppling the All Blacks after three key backs were cleared to start their Test in Dublin.
Five-eighth Jonathan Sexton (hamstring), centre Brian O’Driscoll (calf) and fullback Rob Kearney (ribs) all passed fitness Tests on Friday and will start the final Test of the year for both teams on Sunday.
The British and Irish Lions trio were injured during the 32-15 loss to Australia last weekend. Sexton, in particular, was given little chance initially of being fit.
It is a major boost for the hosts, who are still heavy underdogs against an All Blacks side chasing a record 14th win from 14 Tests this year.
However, New Zealander Schmidt was in a positive mood when announcing a vastly experienced team that features three starting changes.
“I do believe that in any two horse race, there are no certainties,” he said.
“I think it would take an exceptional performance because the All Blacks have proven very resilient as well as being a class side.”
All three changes are in the backs, where Lions halfback Conor Murray replaces Eoin Reddan, veteran centre Gordon D’Arcy returns in place of Luke Marshall and David Kearney grabs the left wing berth left vacant by the injured Fergus McFadden.
Among the 23-strong squad are 17 players from Leinster, the club Schmidt coached before taking charge of Ireland this year.
Among them are the midfield pairing of D’Arcy and Irish great O’Driscoll, who will start their 52nd Test together. That reclaims the world record from the All Blacks combination of Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu, who went past them last month.
Schmidt has thrown his lot in with experience.
The average age of the Irish starting XV is nearly 29. They boast 742 combined caps – nearly 100 more than the All Blacks – boosted by O’Driscoll’s 135 Tests and captain/lock Paul O’Connell’s 94.
O’Driscoll’s 14th Test against the All Blacks will equal the record for the most by a European player, shared with former Welsh five-eighth Stephen Jones.
Schmidt says the week-long injury cloud over his backline has been far from ideal but the team had been buoyed by the positive medical reports.
Ireland have lost 26 of 27 Tests dating back 108 years against New Zealand. The lone positive was a 10-10 draw in Dublin in 1973.
Ireland: Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy, Dave Kearney, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray, Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien, Peter O’Mahony, Paul O’Connell (capt), Devin Toner, Mike Ross, Rory Best, Cian Healy. Reserves: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Declan Fitzpatrick, Mike McCarthy, Kevin McLaughlin, Isaac Boss, Ian Madigan, Luke Fitzgerald.
