Leinster’s Carbery eyes Irish debut against All Blacks in Chicago
Fledgling fly-half Joey Carbery could make his Test debut as Ireland go in search of a first win over New Zealand when they face the world champions in Chicago on Saturday.
Carberry, included in a 27-man squad on Monday — a day before his 21st birthday — has made just nine senior appearances for Leinster.
But with Ulster’s Paddy Jackson missing the trip to the United States for personal reasons, Carbery could provide bench cover for first-choice No. 10 Jonathan Sexton after he was selected ahead of Ian Madigan, now at French club Bordeaux.
The Irish will be without experienced forwards Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien and Iain Henderson — all returning to fitness — as they bid to defeat a New Zealand side looking to extend their world record for successive international wins by a major rugby nation to 19 consecutive Tests.
In 28 Tests spanning more than a hundred years, Ireland have never beaten New Zealand, with their best result a 10-10 draw in Dublin in 1973.
But their last meeting saw Ireland, under New Zealand-born Joe Schmidt, go desperately close before Ryan Crotty’s injury-time try, converted by Aaron Cruden, gave the All Blacks a 24-22 win at Dublin’s Lansdowne Road three years ago.
Ireland and New Zealand will meet again in Dublin on November 19.
Ireland squad to play New Zealand at Soldier Field, Chicago, on Saturday:
Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Rory Best (Ulster, capt), Joey Carbery (Leinster), Sean Cronin (Leinster), Ultan Dillane (Connacht), Tadgh Furlong (Leinster), Craig Gilroy (Ulster) Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), Billy Holland (Munster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), Kieran Marmion (Connacht), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Luke McGrath (Leinster), Jori Murphy (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Jared Payne (Ulster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Jack Ryan (Munster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), CJ Stander (Munster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Josh Van der Flier (Leinster), Simon Zebo (Munster)