All Blacks Omit Beauden Barrett for Ireland Test

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New Zealand coach Dave Rennie has decided against selecting Beauden Barrett for the Nations Championship Test against Ireland, opting for inexperienced flyhalf Ruben Love instead.

Barrett, a 144-Test veteran, has been left out of the team for the first time this year. According to Rennie, 'it was tempting to throw' Barrett in, 'but we're keen to give the young fella another crack.'

Dave Rennie is the current coach of the New Zealand national rugby union team. He took over as coach in 2022, replacing Scott Robertson.

New Zealand announced four starting changes on Thursday for the Test against Ireland, set to take place at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday, 18 July. The match is scheduled to kick off at 09:10 SA time.

Beauden Barrett is one of the team's most high-profile performers for more than a decade. Despite being left out of the team, Rennie assured that Barrett 'will certainly get his opportunity.'

Two changes to the pack were also announced, with lock Tupou Vaa'i shifting to blindside flanker and flanker Wallace Sititi being omitted. Replacements include Josh Lord and Patrick Tuipulotu at lock, with Sam Darry making way.

The 35-year-old Barrett is among just three players from the 34-strong New Zealand squad who has yet to be selected this year. Replacing him is Ruben Love, a young player who will make his first Test start.

The Ireland team has also been announced, with referee Nic Berry set to officiate the match. Assistant referees include Luc Ramos and Damon Murphy, while Ben Whitehouse will serve as the Television Match Official (TMO).

'We're keen to keep those combinations going,' Rennie said. 'We're not saying that's the way it's going to be for the rest of the year, Beauden's certainly going to get his opportunity.'

In the backline, centre Billy Proctor and wing Leroy Carter have been dropped, replaced by Quinn Tupaea and Josh Moorby, respectively. It will be the first Test start for Moorby, who made an impressive Super Rugby debut off the bench against Italy.

Josh Moorby scored a Super Rugby joint record 17 tries for the Hurricanes as they lifted the 2026 title. The young player's inclusion in the team has given Rennie confidence for the match ahead.

'Josh has been excellent all year, and for him to come on quite early last week and play with that sort of confidence was awesome,' Rennie said. 'It gives us a lot of confidence to throw him out there.'

New Zealand's pack has been selected in the hopes of competing against Ireland's disciplined defense. Rennie believes that the team's set-piece will give them an edge in the match.

'It's a big pack for us. We're well aware of the importance of set-piece.' 'Ireland are very good and very disciplined. They'll put you in the corner and they'll hurt you down there. So we've picked a pack that we think can compete and hopefully give us an edge.'

In the end, Rennie's decision to omit Barrett has left some questioning the coach's judgment. But for now, the team is focused on the upcoming match against Ireland.