Scott Robertson: All Blacks see 'opportunities' in Tadhg Furlong absence

New Zealand boss Scott Robertson says Tadhg Furlong's absence from Ireland's squad this week presents "some opportunities" for his side in Friday night's Test at Aviva Stadium.

Both head coaches named their matchday squads this afternoon ahead of Friday night, with Furlong missing out for Ireland due to a hamstring injury, replaced at tighthead by Finlay Bealham in the starting side.

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has made two changes to his team following last week's win against England at Twickenham, with Damian McKenzie and Asafo Aumua coming into the starting team to replace Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor, both of whom are out with concussion.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday evening, Robertson was asked if Furlong's absence "changes anything" for his side's preparation, and while coach recognised he was walking into a trap, he still provided a straight answer.

"Yeah, of course it does, that's a leading question. He’s world class so we see some opportunities in it, yeah," he said of Ireland's front row situation.

The scrum has the potential to be one of the most interesting areas of Friday night's game.

When the sides last met at the Rugby World Cup in 2023, Ireland were penalised three times by referee Wayne Barnes, with Andrew Porter and members of the Irish coaching staff on record about how they felt hard done by.

On the night, Porter was scrummaging against Tyrel Lomax, who packs down again at tighthead for the All Blacks on Friday, and the Hurricanes prop remained diplomatic when asked for his version of events in the scrums at Stade de France last year.

"Yeah, obviously they'll feel pretty hard done by, I certainly do every time I get penalised," Lomax said.

"I think it will be a big battle this weekend in