Irish squad named. Very strong. Hopefully they rest most of the normal starting eleven for AWs game, noting they have very important Euro qualifier against Denmark a few days later.
Who knows with Wood & Brockie missing games with injury this weekend, Barba unavailable we may have Max Mata or Waine starting upfront! Gulp. Never like it much when some overseas commentator sniggers with the AWs having a starter from the German 4th division, Estonia or wherever.
Mick McCarthy
"“This is a huge month for us and these are two very different games,” said McCarthy who officially launched his squad at SSE Airtricity’s South Dublin headquarters on Tuesday afternoon.
“The New Zealand game is a chance to have a look at the players who are fighting to be in the team and some of the players fighting to be in the squad. We saw how beneficial it was to change things up for the recent Bulgaria friendly and we may well do that again against New Zealand.
“It could be the perfect opportunity to have a look at Troy Parrott for example and see how he makes the step-up to senior international football after impressing so many people at underage level with Ireland and Spurs.
“We know what we have to do against Denmark and we will look to the tried and the trusted to win that game but who knows what will happen against New Zealand. Maybe someone will take their chance in that match and give me something to think about.”