# 2012 Ireland rugby union tour of New Zealand

In June 2012, Ireland toured New Zealand playing three Tests against the All Blacks. The Irish tour was one in a series of tours by northern teams to be hosted by southern hemisphere nations. It was marketed as the 'Steinlager 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 on 23 June, the All Blacks won 60–0, inflicting upon Ireland their largest-ever defeat.

## Test matches
### First Test

* 9 June 2012 19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
| New Zealand | 42–10 | Ireland |
| Try: Savea (3) 25' c, 37' c, 43' c Thomson 54' m C. Smith 77' c Con: Carter (4/5) 26', 38', 45, 78 Pen: Carter (3/3) 5', 14', 17' | Report | Try: McFadden 48' c Con: Sexton (1/1) 49' Pen: Sexton (1/1) 7' |
* Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 47,300 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
| FB | 15 | Israel Dagg |
| RW | 14 | Zac Guildford | 52' |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith |
| IC | 12 | Sonny Bill Williams |
| LW | 11 | Julian Savea | 64' |
| FH | 10 | Dan Carter |
| SH | 9 | Aaron Smith | 56' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Victor Vito | 46' |
| RL | 5 | Sam Whitelock |
| LL | 4 | Brodie Retallick | 52' |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 61' |
| HK | 2 | Andrew Hore | 61' |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Hika Elliot | 61' |
| PR | 17 | Ben Franks | 61' |
| LK | 18 | Ali Williams | 52' |
| FL | 19 | Adam Thomson | 46' |
| SH | 20 | Piri Weepu | 56' |
| FH | 21 | Aaron Cruden | 64' |
| WG | 22 | Ben Smith | 52' |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
| FB | 15 | Rob Kearney |
| RW | 14 | Fergus McFadden |
| OC | 13 | Brian O'Driscoll (c) |
| IC | 12 | Keith Earls | 72' |
| LW | 11 | Simon Zebo |
| FH | 10 | Johnny Sexton | 57' |
| SH | 9 | Conor Murray | 61' |
| N8 | 8 | Jamie Heaslip |
| OF | 7 | Seán O'Brien |
| BF | 6 | Peter O'Mahony | 61' |
| RL | 5 | Donnacha Ryan |
| LL | 4 | Dan Tuohy | 61' |
| TP | 3 | Declan Fitzpatrick | 55' |
| HK | 2 | Rory Best |
| LP | 1 | Cian Healy | 71' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Seán Cronin | 71' |
| PR | 17 | Ronan Loughney | 55' |
| LK | 18 | Donncha O'Callaghan | 61' |
| N8 | 19 | Kevin McLaughlin | 61' |
| SH | 20 | Eoin Reddan | 61' |
| FH | 21 | Ronan O'Gara | 57' |
| OC | 22 | Darren Cave | 72' |
| Coach: ||
| Declan Kidney ||
* Touch judges:
* Jaco Peyper
* James Leckie
* Television match official:
* Matt Goddard
* Three players made their full international debut for New Zealand: Brodie Retallick, Julian Savea and Aaron Smith.
* Three players made their full international debut for Ireland: Simon Zebo, Declan Fitzpatrick and Ronan Loughney.

### Second Test

* 16 June 2012 19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
| New Zealand | 22–19 | Ireland |
| Try: A. Smith 42' c Con: Carter (1/1) Pen: Carter (4/5) 22', 30', 35', 64' Drop: Carter (1/1) 81' | Report | Try: Murray 11' c Con: Sexton (1/1) Pen: Sexton (4/5) 20', 47', 65', 69' |
* Rugby League Park, Christchurch Attendance: 21,000 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
| FB | 15 | Israel Dagg |
| RW | 14 | Zac Guildford |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith |
| IC | 12 | Sonny Bill Williams |
| LW | 11 | Julian Savea | 73' |
| FH | 10 | Dan Carter |
| SH | 9 | Aaron Smith | 64' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read | 40' |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Adam Thomson | 65' | 69' |
| RL | 5 | Sam Whitelock |
| LL | 4 | Brodie Retallick | 64' | 65' | 69' |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 57' |
| HK | 2 | Andrew Hore |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Hika Elliot |
| PR | 17 | Ben Franks | 57' |
| LK | 18 | Ali Williams | 64' |
| LK | 19 | Sam Cane | 40' |
| SH | 20 | Piri Weepu | 64' |
| FH | 21 | Aaron Cruden |
| WG | 22 | Ben Smith | 73' |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
| FB | 15 | Rob Kearney |
| RW | 14 | Fergus McFadden |
| OC | 13 | Brian O'Driscoll (c) |
| IC | 12 | Gordon D'Arcy | 51' |
| LW | 11 | Andrew Trimble |
| FH | 10 | Johnny Sexton |
| SH | 9 | Conor Murray | 64' |
| N8 | 8 | Jamie Heaslip |
| OF | 7 | Seán O'Brien |
| BF | 6 | Kevin McLaughlin | 61' |
| RL | 5 | Donnacha Ryan |
| LL | 4 | Dan Tuohy | 58' |
| TP | 3 | Mike Ross |
| HK | 2 | Rory Best |
| LP | 1 | Cian Healy |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Seán Cronin |
| PR | 17 | Declan Fitzpatrick |
| LK | 18 | Donncha O'Callaghan | 58' |
| N8 | 19 | Peter O'Mahony | 61' |
| SH | 20 | Eoin Reddan | 64' |
| FH | 21 | Ronan O'Gara | 51' |
| WG | 22 | Simon Zebo |
| Coach: ||
| Declan Kidney ||
* Touch judges:
* Romain Poite
* Pascal Gauzere
* Television match official:
* Matt Goddard
* This was Ireland's first Test match in Christchurch.
* Sam Cane made his international debut for New Zealand.

### Third Test

* 23 June 2012 19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
| New Zealand | 60–0 | Ireland |
| Try: Cane (2) 6' c, 43' c Williams (2) 11' c, 18' c B. Smith 22' m Gear 49' m Messam 57' m Dagg 62' c Thomson 72' c Con: Cruden (2/2) 7', 12' Dagg (1/2) 19' Barrett (3/5) 44', 63', 73' Pen: Cruden (0/1) Barrett (1/1) 40' | Report | |
* Waikato Stadium, Hamilton Attendance: 25,100 Referee: Romain Poite (France)
| FB | 15 | Israel Dagg |
| RW | 14 | Ben Smith |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith | 60' |
| IC | 12 | Sonny Bill Williams |
| LW | 11 | Hosea Gear |
| FH | 10 | Aaron Cruden | 23' |
| SH | 9 | Aaron Smith | 60' |
| N8 | 8 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| OF | 7 | Sam Cane | 69' |
| BF | 6 | Liam Messam |
| RL | 5 | Sam Whitelock | 57' |
| LL | 4 | Luke Romano |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks |
| HK | 2 | Andrew Hore | 43' |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock | 76' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Keven Mealamu | 43' |
| PR | 17 | Ben Franks | 76' |
| LK | 18 | Brodie Retallick | 57' |
| FL | 19 | Adam Thomson | 69' |
| SH | 20 | Piri Weepu | 60' |
| FH | 21 | Beauden Barrett | 23' |
| IC | 22 | Tamati Ellison | 60' |
| Coach: ||
| Steve Hansen ||
| FB | 15 | Rob Kearney |
| RW | 14 | Fergus McFadden |
| OC | 13 | Brian O'Driscoll (c) |
| IC | 12 | Paddy Wallace | 54' |
| LW | 11 | Keith Earls | 50' | 54' | 73' |
| FH | 10 | Johnny Sexton |
| SH | 9 | Conor Murray | 59' |
| N8 | 8 | Peter O'Mahony |
| OF | 7 | Seán O'Brien |
| BF | 6 | Kevin McLaughlin | 54' |
| RL | 5 | Donnacha Ryan |
| LL | 4 | Dan Tuohy | 55' |
| TP | 3 | Mike Ross | 59' |
| HK | 2 | Rory Best | 68' |
| LP | 1 | Cian Healy |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Seán Cronin | 68' |
| PR | 17 | Declan Fitzpatrick | 59' |
| LK | 18 | Donncha O'Callaghan | 55' |
| FL | 19 | Chris Henry | 54' |
| SH | 20 | Eoin Reddan | 59' |
| FH | 21 | Ronan O'Gara | 54' |
| WG | 22 | Andrew Trimble | 50' | 54' | 73' |
| Coach: ||
| Declan Kidney ||
* Touch judges:
* Pascal Gauzere
* James Leckie
* Television match official:
* Matt Goddard
* New Zealand's 60–0 victory was their largest-ever winning margin against Ireland.
* This remains Ireland's largest ever defeat.
* Beauden Barrett 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 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
* Caps updated before tour. Ages are as of the first Test on 9 June.
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
| Rory Best | Hooker | (1982-08-15)15 August 1982 (aged 29) | 59 | Ulster |
| Seán Cronin | Hooker | (1986-05-06)6 May 1986 (aged 26) | 19 | Leinster |
| Mike Sherry | Hooker | (1988-06-18)18 June 1988 (aged 23) | 0 | Munster |
| Declan Fitzpatrick | Prop | (1983-07-12)12 July 1983 (aged 28) | 0 | Ulster |
| Cian Healy | Prop | (1987-10-07)7 October 1987 (aged 24) | 30 | Leinster |
| Ronan Loughney | Prop | (1984-11-01)1 November 1984 (aged 27) | 0 | Connacht |
| Mike Ross | Prop | (1979-12-21)21 December 1979 (aged 32) | 20 | Leinster |
| Brett Wilkinson | Prop | (1983-11-29)29 November 1983 (aged 28) | 0 | Connacht |
| Mike McCarthy | Lock | (1981-11-27)27 November 1981 (aged 30) | 4 | Connacht |
| Donncha O'Callaghan | Lock | (1979-03-24)24 March 1979 (aged 33) | 85 | Munster |
| Donnacha Ryan | Lock | (1983-12-11)11 December 1983 (aged 28) | 18 | Munster |
| Dan Tuohy | Lock | (1985-06-18)18 June 1985 (aged 26) | 2 | Ulster |
| Chris Henry | Flanker | (1984-10-17)17 October 1984 (aged 27) | 1 | Ulster |
| Kevin McLaughlin | Flanker | (1984-09-20)20 September 1984 (aged 27) | 2 | Leinster |
| Seán O'Brien | Flanker | (1987-02-14)14 February 1987 (aged 25) | 19 | Leinster |
| Jamie Heaslip | Number 8 | (1983-12-15)15 December 1983 (aged 28) | 48 | Leinster |
| Peter O'Mahony | Number 8 | (1989-09-17)17 September 1989 (aged 22) | 4 | Munster |
| Paul Marshall | Scrum-half | (1985-07-26)26 July 1985 (aged 26) | 0 | Ulster |
| Conor Murray | Scrum-half | (1989-04-20)20 April 1989 (aged 23) | 9 | Munster |
| Eoin Reddan | Scrum-half | (1980-11-20)20 November 1980 (aged 31) | 42 | Leinster |
| Ronan O'Gara | Fly-half | (1977-03-07)7 March 1977 (aged 35) | 121 | Munster |
| Johnny Sexton | Fly-half | (1985-07-11)11 July 1985 (aged 26) | 29 | Leinster |
| Darren Cave | Centre | (1987-04-05)5 April 1987 (aged 25) | 2 | Ulster |
| Gordon D'Arcy | Centre | (1980-02-10)10 February 1980 (aged 32) | 68 | Leinster |
| Keith Earls | Centre | (1987-10-02)2 October 1987 (aged 24) | 30 | Munster |
| Brian O'Driscoll | Centre | (1979-01-21)21 January 1979 (aged 33) | 117 | Leinster |
| Fergus McFadden | Wing | (1986-06-17)17 June 1986 (aged 25) | 11 | Leinster |
| Andrew Trimble | Wing | (1984-10-20)20 October 1984 (aged 27) | 46 | Ulster |
| Simon Zebo | Wing | (1990-03-16)16 March 1990 (aged 22) | 0 | Munster |
| Rob Kearney | Fullback | (1986-03-26)26 March 1986 (aged 26) | 38 | Leinster |

### Coaching and management team

| Position | Name |
| Head Coach | Declan Kidney |
| Team Manager | Michael Kearney |

## Home squad

New Zealand 30-man squad named for the three-Test series against Ireland. Hika Elliot will train with the squad to provide cover for Keven Mealamu.
Head coach: Steve Hansen
* Caps updated before tour. Ages are as of the first Test on 9 June.
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
| Hika Elliot | Hooker | (1986-01-22)22 January 1986 (aged 26) | 3 | Chiefs |
| Andrew Hore | Hooker | (1978-09-13)13 September 1978 (aged 33) | 62 | Highlanders |
| Keven Mealamu | Hooker | (1979-03-20)20 March 1979 (aged 33) | 92 | Blues |
| Wyatt Crockett | Prop | (1983-01-24)24 January 1983 (aged 29) | 6 | Crusaders |
| Ben Franks | Prop | (1984-03-27)27 March 1984 (aged 28) | 15 | Crusaders |
| Owen Franks | Prop | (1987-12-23)23 December 1987 (aged 24) | 31 | Crusaders |
| Ben Tameifuna | Prop | (1991-08-30)30 August 1991 (aged 20) | 0 | Chiefs |
| Tony Woodcock | Prop | (1981-01-27)27 January 1981 (aged 31) | 83 | Blues |
| Brodie Retallick | Lock | (1991-05-31)31 May 1991 (aged 21) | 0 | Chiefs |
| Luke Romano | Lock | (1986-02-16)16 February 1986 (aged 26) | 0 | Crusaders |
| Sam Whitelock | Lock | (1988-10-12)12 October 1988 (aged 23) | 25 | Crusaders |
| Ali Williams | Lock | (1981-04-30)30 April 1981 (aged 30) | 73 | Blues |
| Sam Cane | Flanker | (1992-01-13)13 January 1992 (aged 20) | 0 | Chiefs |
| Richie McCaw (c) | Flanker | (1980-12-31)31 December 1980 (aged 31) | 103 | Crusaders |
| Adam Thomson | Flanker | (1982-03-13)13 March 1982 (aged 30) | 24 | Highlanders |
| Kieran Read | Number 8 | (1985-10-26)26 October 1985 (aged 26) | 36 | Crusaders |
| Victor Vito | Number 8 | (1987-03-27)27 March 1987 (aged 25) | 13 | Hurricanes |
| Aaron Smith | Scrum-half | (1988-11-21)21 November 1988 (aged 23) | 0 | Highlanders |
| Piri Weepu | Scrum-half | (1983-09-07)7 September 1983 (aged 28) | 56 | Blues |
| Beauden Barrett | Fly-half | (1991-05-27)27 May 1991 (aged 21) | 0 | Hurricanes |
| Dan Carter(vc) | Fly-half | (1982-03-05)5 March 1982 (aged 30) | 85 | Crusaders |
| Aaron Cruden | Fly-half | (1989-01-08)8 January 1989 (aged 23) | 9 | Chiefs |
| Tamati Ellison | Centre | (1983-04-01)1 April 1983 (aged 29) | 1 | Highlanders |
| Ma'a Nonu | Centre | (1982-05-21)21 May 1982 (aged 30) | 66 | Blues |
| Conrad Smith | Centre | (1981-10-12)12 October 1981 (aged 30) | 55 | Hurricanes |
| Sonny Bill Williams | Centre | (1985-08-03)3 August 1985 (aged 26) | 14 | Chiefs |
| Hosea Gear | Wing | (1984-03-16)16 March 1984 (aged 28) | 8 | Highlanders |
| Zac Guildford | Wing | (1989-08-02)2 August 1989 (aged 22) | 8 | Crusaders |
| Julian Savea | Wing | (1990-08-07)7 August 1990 (aged 21) | 0 | Hurricanes |
| Israel Dagg | Fullback | (1988-06-06)6 June 1988 (aged 24) | 12 | Crusaders |
| Ben Smith | Fullback | (1986-06-01)1 June 1986 (aged 26) | 2 | Highlanders |

### Coaching and management team

| Position | Name |
| Head Coach | Steve Hansen |
| Team Manager | Darren Shand |