Cronin starts for Ireland

FLANKER David Wallace has warned of the dangers of players getting caught up in the emotion of trying to become the first Irish side to defeat the All Blacks in 23 attempts when Declan Kidney’s side run out at New Plymouth this Saturday (8.35am Irish time).
Wallace will win his 63rd cap this weekend as Ireland bid to improve on their dismal record of one draw and 21 defeats in their previous meetings against New Zealand.
Saturday’s game will see a first start in a Test match for Limerick-born hooker Sean Cronin. Twenty-four-year-old Connacht-based Cronin, who won AIL honours with Shannon, has already won two caps as a replacement.


In the absence of Rory Best and Jerry Flannery on Saturday, Cronin finds himself packing down alongside Cian Healy and John Hayes. Ronan O’Gara staved off the challenge of Jonathan Sexton to claim the fly-half spot. David Wallace said it was crucial Ireland get the little things right as they bid to claim a long-awaited victory over the All Blacks.
“We just have to focus on what we can do, the processes that we have to go through and making sure we know all the calls and we know what we’re doing pattern-wise and then do it,” David Wallace said
“That’s our focus. Getting side-tracked by creating history and all that (won’t help) - just playing the All Blacks is a huge motivation in itself.”
The Irish also have the added pressure of getting to grips with the new rules interpretations at the breakdown that the New Zealanders have been getting acclimatised to throughout the Super 14.
“It’s a challenge, but we just have to adapt,” Wallace said.
“There is nothing more to it than that. We haven’t had a lot of games with them.
“It will be an extra challenge for us, but we’ve just got to get on with it and not be complaining about it.”
Injuries have certainly robbed Ireland of some of their best talent for the three-match end of season trip including Munster skipper Paul O’Connell, Rory Best, Keith Earls, Kevin McLaughlin, Fergus McFadden, Luke Fitzgerald and Denis Leamy.
A decision on whether hooker Jerry Flannery, who injured his calf in Friday night’s defeat to the Barbarians at Thomond Park will join up with the squad in New Zealand, was due this Tuesday afternoon after the results of a scan become known.
New Zealand coach Graham Henry has included three Test debutants in his starting line-up for the game.
Ben Franks, 26, will make his Test bow alongside his 22-year-old brother Owen in the All Blacks’ front row, having featured for a New Zealand selection against Munster at Thomond Park in November 2008. Israel Dagg, 22 on Sunday, will win his first cap at full-back while Benson Stanley will become All Black number 1102 when he lines up in the Kiwi midfield at inside centre.
Like Ireland, the All Blacks have their fair share of injuries.
Andrew Hore, Ali Williams, Mike Delany and Sitiveni Sivivatu are long term absentees, while a knee injury has ruled centre Ma’a Nonu out of New Zealand’s upcoming games.

Ireland: Robert Kearney; Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll (captain), Gordon D’Arcy, Andrew Trimble; Ronan O’Gara, Tomas O’Leary; Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, John Hayes; Donncha O’Callaghan, Mick O’Driscoll; John Muldoon, David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip. Replacements: John Fogarty*, Tony Buckley, Dan Tuohy*, Shane Jennings, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Geordan Murphy.
New Zealand: Israel Dagg*; Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Benson Stanley*, Joe Rokocoko; Dan Carter Jimmy Cowan; Ben Franks*, Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks; Brad Thorn, Anthony Boric; Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (capt), Kieran Read.
* Denotes uncapped player

Colm Kinsella