In June 2012,

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

toured New Zealand playing three Tests against the

All Blacks The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks, is the representative men's national team in the sport of rugby union for the nation of New Zealand, which is considered the country's national sport. Famed for th ...

. The Irish tour was one in a

series Series may refer to: People with the name * Caroline Series (born 1951), English mathematician, daughter of George Series * George Series (1920–1995), English physicist Arts, entertainment, and media Music * Series, the ordered sets used i ...

of tours by northern teams to be hosted by southern hemisphere nations. It was marketed as the '

Steinlager Steinlager (sometimes known as Steinlager Classic) is a lager-style beer brewed by Lion in East Tāmaki, a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. It has won several prizes, notably at beer competitions in the United States, and is New Zealand's bigges ...

Series'. 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. New Zealand won the series 3–0. In the third and final Test in

Hamilton Hamilton may refer to: * Alexander Hamilton (1755/1757–1804), first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States * ''Hamilton'' (musical), a 2015 Broadway musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda ** ''Hamilton'' (al ...

on 23 June, the All Blacks won 60–0, inflicting upon Ireland their largest-ever defeat.

Test matches

First Test

* Three players made their full international debut for New Zealand: Brodie Retallick,

Julian Savea Sio Julian Savea (born 7 August 1990) is a New Zealand professional rugby union player. He currently plays wing or centre for Wellington in the National Provincial Championship and Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Savea formerly played for in ...

and Aaron Smith. * Three players made their full international debut for Ireland: Simon Zebo, Declan Fitzpatrick and Ronan Loughney.

Second Test

* This was Ireland's first Test match in Christchurch. * Sam Cane made his international debut for New Zealand.

Third Test

*New Zealand's 60–0 victory was their largest-ever winning margin against Ireland. *This remains Ireland's largest ever defeat. *

Beauden Barrett Beauden John Barrett (born 27 May 1991) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a First five-eighth or Fullback for the Blues in Super Rugby and Taranaki in the Bunnings NPC. Barrett won the World Rugby Player of the Year awards ...

made his international debut for New Zealand.

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 A barbarian is a person or tribe of people that is perceived to be primitive, savage and warlike. Many cultures have referred to other cultures as barbarians, sometimes out of misunderstanding and sometimes out of prejudice. A "barbarian" may ...

was announced on 15 May, no Leinster players were selected due to the RaboDirect PRO12 final. 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. Tommy Bowe was ruled out of the tour in early April after undergoing surgery to remove a haematoma. Stephen Ferris was ruled out of the tour due to a calf injury, he was replaced by McLaughlin. Isaac Boss was ruled out of the tour owing to an ongoing thigh problem, he was replaced by Marshall. Paul O'Connell was ruled out of the tour after failing to recover sufficiently from a knee injury, he was replaced by McCarthy. The additional players were Wilkinson and Henry. Loughney was also included to provide cover for Ross. Head coach:

Declan Kidney Declan Kidney (born 20 October 1959) is an Irish rugby union coach. He was the head coach of the Ireland national rugby union team from 2008 to 2013, where he won the 2009 Six Nations with a Grand Slam, winning the 2009 IRB Coach of the Year a ...

* Caps updated before tour. Ages are as of the first Test on 9 June.

Coaching and management team

Home squad

New Zealand 30-man squad named for the three-Test series against

. Hika Elliot will train with the squad to provide cover for

Keven Mealamu Keven Filipo Mealamu (born 20 March 1979) is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer. He played at hooker for the Blues in Super Rugby, Auckland in the National Provincial Championship, and the New Zealand national team. He was part of t ...

. Head coach:

Steve Hansen Sir Stephen William Hansen and High Chief of Vaiala, (born 7 May 1959) is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former player. He is also the father of Black Ferns assistant coach, Whitney Hansen. He was the head coach of the New Zealand na ...

* Caps updated before tour. Ages are as of the first Test on 9 June.

Coaching and management team

References

External links

2012 Ireland rugby union tour of New Zealand at ESPN
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ireland

2012 2012 was designated as: *International Year of Cooperatives *International Year of Sustainable Energy for All Events January *January 4 – The Cicada 3301 internet hunt begins. * January 12 – Peaceful protests begin in the R ...

2012 rugby union tours 2012 in New Zealand rugby union tour

Test matches

First Test

Second Test

Third Test

Touring squad

Coaching and management team

Home squad

Coaching and management team

See also

References

External links