Kidney makes six changes in experienced line-up

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has opted for experience over youth for Saturday's Test against New Zealand at Croke Park, making six changes from last weekend's 55-0 win over Canada. Girvan Dempsey comes in for Keith Earls at fullback, while Tomás O'Leary replaces Eoin Reddan at the base of the scrum.

There are two changes in the frontrow, with Rory Best in for Jerry Flannery at hooker and John Hayes for Tony Buckley at tighthead.

Kidney has also opted for the tried and tested in the backrow, where David Wallace replaces Shane Jennings at openside, while his Munster colleague Alan Quinlan takes over at number six from last week's man of the match, Stephen Ferris

All six who lose out have been named on the bench, alongside Ulster's Paddy Wallace.

"The changes weren't easy because the boys did well against Canada at the weekend," Kidney said at today's team announcement. "We have selected a team with a skill set that gives us the best possible chance on Saturday.

"Alan Quinlan and David Wallace have a wealth of experience at international and provincial level. Girvan has been playing very well and we saw him as the best option at fullback."

With New Zealand opting for a full-strength selection after resting some key men in the win at Murrayfield, Kidney is in no doubt that achieving an historic first win against the tourists will be no mean feat.

"New Zealand are the Tiger Woods of world rugby, they're an extremely good side," he added. "This is probably the toughest time to play them. They have the objective of winning a Grand Slam tour.

"We have no illusions as to how hard it will be but we want to test ourselves against the best."

O'Leary, who will make his first Test start at Croke Park, will be returning to GAA headquarters for the first time since winning All-Ireland minor hurling medals with Cork in  2000 and 2001.,

"It's going to be great to run out at Croke Park again - this time in an Ireland jersey," said O'Leary, who has ousted Peter Stringer from the Munster side.

"I've been working hard to get back into the Ireland team so I'm really looking forward it. I've been improving my game and I feel like I've been feeling the benefits.

"The All Blacks are the biggest possible way to make your first start. It's nice when the coach has selected you but it's a big squad, so I'm not going to read too much into any selection."

Kidney, meanwhile, insists O'Leary had earnt his call-up the hard way.

"Tomas has worked very hard with several coaches such as (assistant coach) Alan Gaffney," he said. "He's learnt many things, experiencing the ups and downs that every professional has along the way. He has good attributes.

"He's been playing well the last couple of seasons and is keeping out some exceptionably good players, so he must be good. I think highly of him."

IRELAND (v New Zealand):G Dempsey (Leinster); T Bowe (Ospreys), B O'Driscoll (Leinster), L Fitzgerald (Leinster), R Kearney (Leinster); R O'Gara (Munster), T O'Leary (Munster); M Horan (Munster), R Best (Ulster), J Hayes (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster), A Quinlan (Munster), D Wallace (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster). Replacements: J Flannery (Munster), T Buckley (Munster), S Ferris (Ulster), S Jennings (Leinster), E Reddan (Wasps), P Wallace (Ulster), K Earls (Munster)