Dalton Papalii appointed on the blindside flanker as All Blacks reshuffle package for Ireland test

Scott Barrett has switched to locks after a concussion ruled Sam Whitelock out of the second test against Ireland in Dunedin on Saturday night.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster, who revealed his team on Thursday, has been forced to toy with his attacking squad as 133 testing veteran Whitelock has kept him out of action due to symptoms of a pending concussion.

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Dalton Papalii, pictured in action against the United States last year, has been named to start on the flanks for the All Blacks against Ireland in Dunedin on Saturday night.

Another key, Tupou Vaa’i, was also not considered for selection after contracting Covid-19.

The absences of Whitelock and Vaa’i have resulted in Patrick Tuipulotu and Josh Dickson joining the squad earlier this week.

Tuipulotu, who was originally ineligible for the Irish series due to missing Super Rugby Pacific to play in Japan, has been added to the bench. The NZ Rugby Board approved a dispensation to allow him to join the squad.

The decision to move Barrett, who started from a blindside flanker when the All Blacks beat Ireland 42-19 in Auckland last weekend, to the second row with Brodie Retallick means Dalton Papalii will wear the No 6 jersey at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

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Scott Barrett, left, will start his All Blacks game after Sam Whitelock is sidelined with a concussion.

Papalii have been given the nod to start ahead of Akira Ioane, who is yet to be included in day 23 of the match.

Papalii, who confirmed on Thursday he has re-signed with NZ Rugby and the Blues until 2024, is the only newcomer to the team to start the first test.

The decision to lift the Blues captain off the bench means Foster has opted to keep captain Sam Cane on the open wing, and Ardie Savea at No 8.

Transferring Barrett to lock means the All Blacks have sacrificed an extra-high lineout option, although Savea was efficient in front of set-pieces in the first test.

With Cane, Papalii and Savea all starting at the back, the All Blacks will field a lighter, but arguably faster, unit to battle the Irish in a breakdown. Papalii has played most of a first-class career at No 7, while some Savea supporters still believe he is the best option in the position.

In recent seasons, however, Savea has been asked to start at No. 8 in the belief that it provides more opportunities for him to be involved as a ball runner.

Given that Barrett has played nearly his entire career on lockdown, he was asked to start as a winger at Eden Park for the second time in 49 tests, his transition to the heart of a striker was unexpected.

The back line remains the same as it started the first test.

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Quinn Tupaea has been kept in fifth-eighth for the test at Dunedin.

Although David Havili and Jack Goodhue were declared fit, they were unable to undergo the first test after contracting Covid last week, Quinn Tupaea will be back starting from No 12.

Tupaea, who tried to score after catching a grubber by playmaker Beauden Barrett, produced an efficient display alongside midfield partner Rieko Ioane and deserved another chance to start.

Several changes have been made to the bench. Fullback/winger Will Jordan, who was injured last week due to Covid, and out-of-play centre-back Folau Fakatava and supporter Aidan Ross have been included in the reserves.

Jordan replaces Braydon Ennor. Ross and Fakatava replaced Karl Tu’inukuafe and Finlay Christie respectively.

“While I’m happy with how we performed and the leadership shown in the first test game, we need to really lift and improve in some key areas,” said Foster.

“We know Ireland will give everything to us this week to keep the series alive. We’re up for another challenge this week but we feel this team have laid the groundwork to build on and are eager to improve against an Irish side who were so determined.”

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Ireland captain Johnny Sexton left the field after hitting his head in the first test.

Ireland coach Andy Farrell is due to reveal his team today.

Captain Johnny Sexton is expected to start at No. 10.

Despite leaving the field for HIA, and not returning, after receiving an accidental knee to the head by Cane at Eden Park, Sexton appears to have proved he has suffered no ill effects.

All black team: Jordie Barrett, Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Quinn Tupaea, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (captain), Dalton Papalii, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Codie Taylor, George Arbor. Suggestion: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Pita Gus Sowakula, Folau Fakatava, Richie Mo’unga, Will Jordan.

All Blacks v Ireland, second test

Where: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin.

When: 7:05pm Saturday

Scope: Sky Sport 1, live update on Stuff

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