NEW ZEALAND: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan; 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Ben Franks. Reserves: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Zac Guildford.

Being the first hit out for the All Blacks in 2010, I only expect them to win this narrowly. Pretty happy with the starting XV, just would have liked to see Guildford get the nod over Joe Rok.

Cant see the Irish winning this one, should be a good game though.
AB's to win it by 5 or 6 points I think.

still cannot believe demelmanche made it in, guy couldnt hit a barn if he were on top of it. rutledge was so ripped off.

yeah this will be a tight game. new ABs squad vs an established irish side that should in theory have better team work

Vito lucky to be on the bench. Hopefully they give him a run and realise he is too shit for international rugby

All Blacks get a A+ for attack B for defence....Israel Dagg you are a machine!

Good start for the 2010 ABs, much better than last yrs horrid start.

Was a very good performance just let in a bit when we started clearing the bench.

Good start by the Boys! Israel Dagg what a legend actually all the new boys had great games!

Piri Weepu should no be there he is way too slow, Alby Matthewson better be in the Tri Nations squad!

8/10 for the first half in the second half we feel off a bit but thats probably because we brang on the subs.

Anyone know who go MOTM?

don't know who was motm but surely Dagg deserved it. Set up atleast 3 tries.

TVNZ had this to say "most commanding performance by an All Blacks fullback on debut since Christian Cullen ran rings around the Samoans in 1996."

thats massive, being compared to the best ever fullback...

Conrad was impressive as well.

Full credit to Ireland, with 14 men for most of the game (13 for a period) they really showed some fight even though the scoreline may say otherwise. But for those that didn't watch the game they really did themselves proud. Also well done to DC plenty more to come in the future no doubt.

Yeah good game all in all - shocking defence but with the bench emptied early on, especially with 3 more debutants, you'd have to expect some slips like that - lots to work on though.

Dagg was easily MOM - Conrad second IMO.

Was funny - I had thought Read had had an absolute shitter of a game (floating out on the wings as usual, dropping passes and giving away penalties) but a number of people have said the reckon he had a great game...maybe I just hate him so much eh

Reckon you're wrong about Piri Rozza - sure Alby probably deserved the spot more, but Piri's link play was great, his kicking solid, and he is far more tactical than the other HBs.