2012 Ireland rugby union tour of New Zealand
In June 2012, Ireland will tour New Zealand to play three Tests against the All Blacks.[1] The Irish tour is one in a series of tours by northern teams to be hosted by southern hemisphere nations.
Marketed as the 'Steinlager Series', it will be Ireland's first-ever three-Test series against the All Blacks. The first test marks the beginning of a global calendar that runs through until 2019, as announced by the IRB in 2010.[2]
In planning the series, it was anticipated Ireland would face provincial and Māori teams, however, to allow Ireland to focus on the Tests, the IRFU decided there would be no mid-week fixtures.[3]
Test Matches
| Saturday June 9, 2012 19:35 NZST (UTC+12) |
New Zealand  | v | Ireland  |
| Eden Park, Auckland Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) |
| Saturday June 16, 2012 19:35 NZST (UTC+12) |
| New Zealand | v | Ireland |
| Rugby League Park, Christchurch Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) |
| Saturday June 23, 2012 19:35 NZST (UTC+12) |
| New Zealand | v | Ireland |
| Waikato Stadium, Hamilton Referee: Romain Poite (France) |
Touring squad
Ireland's 30-man squad for the three-Test tour of New Zealand. Ireland's initial squad for the clash against the Barbarians was announced on the 15th of May, no Leinster players were selected due to the RaboDirect PRO12 final. [4][5] Ireland's 29-man squad for the three-Test tour of New Zealand was named on the 21st of May. Four additional players were added to the squad. [6] Stephen Ferris was ruled out of the tour due to a calf injury, he was replaced by McLaughlin. [7] Paul O'Connell was ruled out of the tour after failing to recover sufficiently from a knee injury, he was replaced by McCarthy. [8] The additional players were Wilkinson, Henry and Marshall. Loughney was also included to provide cover for Ross. [9]
Head Coach: Declan Kidney
- Caps updated before tour.
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
Coaching and Management Team
| Position | Name | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Head Coach | Declan Kidney | Ireland
|
| Forwards Coach | Gert Smal |  South Africa
|
| Backs & Defence Coach | Les Kiss |  Australia
|
| Kicking Coach | Mark Tainton |  England
|
| Team Manager | Michael Kearney | Ireland
|
| Baggage Master | Patrick 'Rala' O'Reilly | Ireland
|
Home squad
New Zealand 30-man squad named for the three-Test series against Ireland. Hika Elliot will train with the squad to provide cover for Mealamu. [10]
- Head Coach: Steve Hansen
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
Coaching and Management Team
See also
References
- ^ Kiwis to face Ireland in Christchurch espnscrum.com
- ^ Ireland to play three Tests in New Zealand in 2012 as old-style Tours make welcome return dailymail.co.uk
- ^ Irish snub NZ game plan independent.ie
- ^ "Seven uncapped players in Ireland squad". ESPN Scrum. 15 May 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
- ^ "Ireland XV Named For Barbarians Clash". Irish Rugby. 28 May 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
- ^ "Ireland name squad to face All Blacks". ESPN Scrum. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
- ^ "Ferris ruled out of NZ tour". Planet Rugby. 27 May 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
- ^ "O'Connell ruled out of June Tests". ESPN Scrum. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
- ^ "Kidney confirms final touring party". ESPN Scrum. 30 May 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ^ "All Blacks name seven new caps". Planet Rugby. 2 June 2012.