Ryan Crotty only change in strong All Blacks side to face Ireland
Dublin — Midfield back Ryan Crotty was the only change to the All Blacks side that started against England as New Zealand coach Steve Hansen named his strongest available team for their mouthwatering clash against Ireland here on Saturday. Crotty will slot into his more comfortable inside centre role alongside Crusaders teammate Jack Goodhue. The 30-year-old comes into the side Hansen named on Thursday as a replacement for Sonny Bill Williams who was injured in the England match. Last Saturday, Crotty came on for Williams after about 30 minutes in atrocious conditions at Twickenham and immediately settled the All Blacks, who were struggling to recover from a 15-0 deficit against Eddie Jones’s side. Crotty’s elevation to the starting side left a vacant position on the bench, which will be filled by Waikato Chiefs back Anton Lienert-Brown. Hansen resisted the temptation to make any further changes against the world’s second-ranked side and stuck with the dual playmaker option from las...
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