2012 Ireland rugby union tour of New Zealand
In June 2012, Ireland toured New Zealand playing three Tests against the All Blacks.[1] The Irish tour was one in a series of tours by northern teams to be hosted by southern hemisphere nations.
Marketed as the 'Steinlager Series', it was Ireland's first-ever three-Test series against the All Blacks, and the first three-Test tour of New Zealand since the 2005 British & Irish Lions tour. The series marked 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 that Ireland would also face provincial and Māori opposition, however, to allow Ireland to focus on the Tests, the IRFU decided that there would be no mid-week fixtures.[3]
New Zealand won the series 3-0. In the third and final Test in Hamilton on 23 June, the All Blacks won 60-0, inflicting upon Ireland their largest-ever defeat.[4][5]
Test Matches
First Test
| 9 June 2012 19:35 NZST (UTC+12) |
New Zealand  | 42–10 (23–3) |  Ireland |
| Try: Savea (3) 25' c, 37' c, 43' c Thomson 54' m C. Smith 77' c Con: Carter (4/5) 26', 38', 45, 78 Pen: Carter (3/3) 5', 14', 17' | Report | Try: McFadden 48' c Con: Sexton (1/1) 49' Pen: Sexton (1/1) 7' |
| Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 43,300 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) |
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- Three players made their full international debut for New Zealand: Brodie Retallick, Julian Savea and Aaron Smith.
- Two players made their full international debut for Ireland: Simon Zebo and Declan Fitzpatrick. Ronan Loughney also made his international debut for Ireland, replacing Fitzpatrick as a substitute.
Second Test
| 16 June 2012 19:35 NZST (UTC+12) |
| New Zealand | 22–19 (9–10) | Ireland |
| Try: A. Smith 42' c Con: Carter (1/1) Pen: Carter (4/5) 22', 30', 35', 64' Drop: Carter (1/1) 81' | Report | Try: Murray 11' c Con: Sexton (1/1) Pen: Sexton (4/5) 20', 47', 65', 69' |
| Rugby League Park, Christchurch Attendance: 21,000 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) |
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- This was Ireland's first Test match in Christchurch.
Third Test
| Saturday June 23, 2012 19:35 NZST (UTC+12) |
| New Zealand | 60–0 (29–0) | Ireland |
| Try: Cane (2) 6' c, 43' c Williams (2) 11' c, 18' c B Smith 22' m Gear 49' m Messam 57' m Dagg 62' c Thomson 72' c Con: Cruden 2/2 7', 12' Dagg 1/2 19' Barrett 3/3 44', 63', 73' Pen: Cruden 0/1 Barrett 1/1 40' | Report |
| Waikato Stadium, Hamilton Attendance: 25,100 Referee: Romain Poite (France) |
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- New Zealand's 60-0 victory was their largest-ever winning margin against Ireland.[6]
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 15 May, no Leinster players were selected due to the RaboDirect PRO12 final.[7][8] Ireland's 29-man squad for the three-Test tour of New Zealand was named on 21 May. Four additional players were added to the squad.[9] Tommy Bowe was ruled out of the tour in early April after undergoing surgery to remove a haematoma.[10] Stephen Ferris was ruled out of the tour due to a calf injury, he was replaced by McLaughlin.[11] Isaac Boss was ruled out of the tour owing to an ongoing thigh problem, he was replaced by Marshall.[12] Paul O'Connell was ruled out of the tour after failing to recover sufficiently from a knee injury, he was replaced by McCarthy.[13] The additional players were Wilkinson and Henry. Loughney was also included to provide cover for Ross.[14]
Head Coach: Declan Kidney
- Caps updated before tour. Ages are as of the first Test on 9 June.
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rory Best | Hooker | 15 August 1982 (aged 29) | 59 | Ulster
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| Sean Cronin | Hooker | 6 May 1986 (aged 26) | 19 | Leinster
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| Mike Sherry | Hooker | 18 June 1988 (aged 23) | 0 | Munster
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| Declan Fitzpatrick | Prop | 12 July 1983 (aged 28) | 0 | Ulster
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| Cian Healy | Prop | 7 October 1987 (aged 24) | 30 | Leinster
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| Ronan Loughney | Prop | 1 November 1984 (aged 27) | 0 | Connacht
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| Mike Ross | Prop | 21 December 1979 (aged 32) | 20 | Leinster
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| Brett Wilkinson | Prop | 29 November 1983 (aged 28) | 0 | Connacht
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| Mike McCarthy | Lock | 27 November 1981 (aged 30) | 4 | Connacht
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| Donncha O'Callaghan | Lock | 24 March 1979 (aged 33) | 85 | Munster
|
| Donnacha Ryan | Lock | 11 December 1983 (aged 28) | 18 | Munster
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| Dan Tuohy | Lock | 18 June 1985 (aged 26) | 2 | Ulster
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| Chris Henry | Flanker | 17 October 1984 (aged 27) | 1 | Ulster
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| Kevin McLaughlin | Flanker | 20 September 1984 (aged 27) | 2 | Leinster
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| Sean O'Brien | Flanker | 14 February 1987 (aged 25) | 19 | Leinster
|
| Jamie Heaslip | Number 8 | 15 December 1983 (aged 28) | 48 | Leinster
|
| Peter O'Mahony | Number 8 | 17 September 1989 (aged 22) | 4 | Munster
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| Paul Marshall | Scrum-half | 26 July 1985 (aged 26) | 0 | Ulster
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| Conor Murray | Scrum-half | 20 April 1989 (aged 23) | 9 | Munster
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| Eoin Reddan | Scrum-half | 20 November 1980 (aged 31) | 42 | Leinster
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| Ronan O'Gara | Fly-half | 7 March 1977 (aged 35) | 121 | Munster
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| Jonathan Sexton | Fly-half | 11 July 1985 (aged 26) | 29 | Leinster
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| Darren Cave | Centre | 5 April 1987 (aged 25) | 2 | Ulster
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| Gordon D'Arcy | Centre | 10 February 1980 (aged 32) | 68 | Leinster
|
| Keith Earls | Centre | 2 October 1987 (aged 24) | 30 | Munster
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| Brian O'Driscoll | Centre | 21 January 1979 (aged 33) | 117 | Leinster
|
| Fergus McFadden | Wing | 17 June 1986 (aged 25) | 11 | Leinster
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| Andrew Trimble | Wing | 20 October 1984 (aged 27) | 46 | Ulster
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| Simon Zebo | Wing | 16 March 1990 (aged 22) | 0 | Munster
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| Rob Kearney | Fullback | 26 March 1986 (aged 26) | 38 | Leinster
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Coaching and Management Team
| Position | Name | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Head Coach | Declan Kidney | Ireland
|
| Forwards Coach | Gert Smal |  South Africa
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| Backs & Defence Coach | Les Kiss |  Australia
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| Kicking Coach | Mark Tainton |  England
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| Team Manager | Michael Kearney | Ireland
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| Baggage Master | Ireland
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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 Keven Mealamu.[15]
Head Coach: Steve Hansen
- Caps updated before tour. Ages are as of the first Test on 9 June.
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hikawera Elliot | Hooker | 22 January 1986 (aged 26) | 3 | Chiefs
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| Andrew Hore | Hooker | 13 September 1978 (aged 33) | 62 | Highlanders
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| Keven Mealamu | Hooker | 20 March 1979 (aged 33) | 92 | Blues
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| Wyatt Crockett | Prop | 24 January 1983 (aged 29) | 6 | Crusaders
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| Ben Franks | Prop | 27 March 1984 (aged 28) | 15 | Crusaders
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| Owen Franks | Prop | 23 December 1987 (aged 24) | 31 | Crusaders
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| Ben Tameifuna | Prop | 30 August 1991 (aged 20) | 0 | Chiefs
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| Tony Woodcock | Prop | 27 January 1981 (aged 31) | 83 | Blues
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| Brodie Retallick | Lock | 31 May 1991 (aged 21) | 0 | Chiefs
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| Luke Romano | Lock | 16 February 1986 (aged 26) | 0 | Crusaders
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| Sam Whitelock | Lock | 12 October 1988 (aged 23) | 25 | Crusaders
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| Ali Williams | Lock | 30 April 1981 (aged 30) | 73 | Blues
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| Sam Cane | Flanker | 13 January 1992 (aged 20) | 0 | Chiefs
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| Richie McCaw (c) | Flanker | 31 December 1980 (aged 31) | 103 | Crusaders
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| Adam Thomson | Flanker | 13 March 1982 (aged 30) | 24 | Highlanders
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| Kieran Read | Number 8 | 26 October 1985 (aged 26) | 36 | Crusaders
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| Victor Vito | Number 8 | 27 March 1987 (aged 25) | 13 | Hurricanes
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| Aaron Smith | Scrum-half | 21 November 1988 (aged 23) | 0 | Highlanders
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| Piri Weepu | Scrum-half | 7 September 1983 (aged 28) | 56 | Blues
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| Beauden Barrett | Fly-half | 27 May 1991 (aged 21) | 0 | Hurricanes
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| Dan Carter(vc) | Fly-half | 5 March 1982 (aged 30) | 85 | Crusaders
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| Aaron Cruden | Fly-half | 8 January 1989 (aged 23) | 9 | Chiefs
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| Tamati Ellison | Centre | 1 April 1983 (aged 29) | 1 | Highlanders
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| Ma'a Nonu | Centre | 21 May 1982 (aged 30) | 66 | Blues
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| Conrad Smith | Centre | 12 October 1981 (aged 30) | 55 | Hurricanes
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| Sonny Bill Williams | Centre | 3 August 1985 (aged 26) | 14 | Chiefs
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| Hosea Gear | Wing | 16 March 1984 (aged 28) | 8 | Highlanders
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| Zac Guildford | Wing | 2 August 1989 (aged 22) | 8 | Crusaders
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| Julian Savea | Wing | 7 August 1990 (aged 21) | 0 | Hurricanes
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| Israel Dagg | Fullback | 6 June 1988 (aged 24) | 12 | Crusaders
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| Ben Smith | Fullback | 1 June 1986 (aged 26) | 2 | Highlanders
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Coaching and Management Team
| Position | Name | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Head Coach | Steve Hansen | New Zealand
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| Assistant Coach | Ian Foster | New Zealand
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| Forwards Coach | Mike Cron | New Zealand
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| Backs & Defence Coach | Brian "Aussie" McLean | New Zealand
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| Team Manager | Darren Shand | New Zealand
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See also
- 2012 mid-year rugby test series
- 2012 Rugby Championship
- History of rugby union matches between Ireland and New Zealand
- Ireland national rugby union team
- New Zealand national rugby union team
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
- ^ "Ireland End Tour With Heavy Loss". irishrugby.ie. 23 June 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- ^ "As it happened: New Zealand 60-0 Ireland". RTE Sport. 23 June 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
- ^ All Blacks complete series sweep over Ireland with record breaking win, Radio New Zealand, Updated 24 June 2012.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Bowe set to miss New Zealand tour". ESPN Scrum. 6 April 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
- ^ "Ferris ruled out of NZ tour". Planet Rugby. 27 May 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
- ^ "Isaac Boss ruled out of Ireland's tour to New Zealand". Irish Independent. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 17 June 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.