New Zealand v Ireland: third and deciding rugby union Test – live!

Sam Whitelock, sorely missed last week, returns at lock for New Zealand in move that pushes Scott Barrett to the flank. David Havili is at inside-centre, Will Jordan is on the wing and RL convert Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is on the bench.

Andy Farrell makes only one change to the victorious starting XV with Bundee Aki in for the injured Gary Ringrose. Keith Earls is back among the subs.

New Zealand: Jordie Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Sevu Reece; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; George Bower, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Sam Cane (captain), Ardie Savea.

Replacements: Dane Coles, Aidan Ross, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Folau Fakatava, Richie Mo’unga, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Johnny Sexton (captain), Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Kieran Treadwell, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery, Keith Earls.

Welcome one and all to the deciding test of the series in Wellington.

After last week’s first of victory in New Zealand, Ireland must find another never seen before moment vs their opponents today – a back to back win. Andy Farrell’s men may have bested four of the last seven matches between the teams after a century of being on the runny end of the result; but a WW in the results column still eludes them. And how New Zealand will be bristling with fury in their desire to prevent that from happening.

The curious thing in the previous two meetings is that, red cards aside, both teams have broadly put in a similar performance. Ireland busy and creative, making enough dents up front and with territorial kicking to make the All Blacks reel a bit. New Zealand fitful and a little disjointed, but with enough dog in their scramble defence and pizazz in broken play or on counter to frustrate and indeed take the game. In week one, the latter won out while Dunedin saw the former smother the home side. That and all those cards. So many cards.

It’s fascinating to consider what will emerge dominant today. Andy Farrell is under no illusion that “[New Zealand] will be hurting, we know that they bounce back unbelievably strong.”

Ructions incoming.