New Zealand vs Ireland live stream: how to watch the July Test series for free

The Maori All Blacks and Ireland pack down for a scrum
(Image credit: Getty Images / Hannah Peters)

Ireland lock horns with the All Blacks today in the first of three test matches in New Zealand. The tour opener will also be Ireland's first chance to beat New Zealand on home soil since 2012. Kick-off is a bright and early 8.05am BST. The match is on Sky in the UK and Stan Sport (7-day free trial) in Australia. Make sure you know how to watch a New Zealand vs Ireland live stream from wherever you are.

New Zealand vs Ireland live stream (2022)

Date: Saturday 2nd July 2022

Kick-off: 8.05am BST / 3.05am ET / 5.05pm AEST

AUS stream: Stan Sport (7-day free trial)

Watch anywhere: Try ExpressVPN risk-free today

UK stream: Sky | Now

US stream: FloRugby

Venue: Eden Park, New Zealand

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named an experienced side for today's 1st Test in New Zealand. In all, there are just five changes to the starting XV that claimed a sensational win over the All Blacks in Dublin last year, with Keith Earl getting the nod over Jordan Larmour and Robbie Henshaw reuniting with Garry Ringrose.

Jimmy O’Brien picked up an injury in the Wednesday's 32-17 defeat to the Maori All Blacks, while Mack Hansen is out after testing positive for covid. On a more positive note, Tadhg Beirne has shaken off his knock and is expected to start.

New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has named six uncapped players for the 1st Test. Prop Aidan Ross, fly-half Stephen Perofeta, scrum-half Folau Fakatava, flanker Pita Gus Sowakula, centre Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and wing Leicester Fainga’anuku are set to make their official debuts for the All Blacks. Joe Moody, Anton Lienert-Brown and Ethan Blackadder are out with injuries.

The two sides will play a total of three Test matches in Auckland, Dunedin and Wellington, plus a second match against the Maori All Blacks. Ireland have got the better of the All Blacks three times since their historic victory in 2016, but have never won a Test on Kiwi soil. Follow our guide to watch a free New Zealand vs Ireland live stream from where you are.

New Zealand vs Ireland free live stream 

July Test series on Stan Sport

(Image credit: Stan Sport)

In Australia, rugby fans can watch a New Zealand vs Ireland live stream on Stan Sport (7-day free trial; AU$10 a month). Requires Stan subscription (30-day free trial; AU$10 a month).

Of course the free trial Stan access is only available to Australians, so if you're an Aussie subscriber overseas, make sure to use a VPN so that you can watch New Zealand vs Ireland live on Stan wherever you are.

Watch New Zealand vs Ireland from abroad using a VPN

Even if you have subscribed to the relevant New Zealand vs Ireland rights holders, you won't be able to access them when outside your own country. The service will know your location based on your IP address, and will automatically block your access.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) helps you get around this obstacle. VPNs are a doddle to use and create a private connection between your device and the internet, helping you access local streams from anywhere – and saving you money!

Try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days

<a href="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fexpressvpn.com%2Fgo%2Fbest-vpn-for-streaming-video-2%3Foffer%3D3monthsfree%26a_fid%3D744" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"">Try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days
ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money back guarantee with its VPN service. You can use it to watch on your mobile, tablet, laptop, TV, games console and more. There's 24/7 customer support and three months free when you sign-up. Try it – you'll be surprised how simple it is. 

How to use a VPN for New Zealand vs Ireland

Using a VPN to watch New Zealand vs Ireland is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. ExpressVPN is the one we recommend.

2. Open up the VPN app and choose the location of the service you wish to access. For New Zealand vs Ireland, you may wish to choose 'Australia' for Stan Sport.

3. Then head over to Stan Sport on your browser or device and enjoy the New Zealand vs Ireland live stream free of charge.

If, for whatever reason, you can't get it working, do remember that you have the comfort of a 30-day money back guarantee with ExpressVPN. You could also try NordVPN, which also comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, and Surfshark which offers 24 hour assistance.

UK: watch a New Zealand vs Ireland live stream

Sky Sports has you covered for all three New Zealand vs Ireland Test matches. Check out today's best Sky TV deals.

Not a Sky subscriber? Now passes provide instant streaming access to all 11 Sky Sports channels, so you can watch rugger, F1 live stream, football and more.

Aussies in the UK can use a VPN to watch free with a Stan Sport 7-day trial. See details above. 

USA: watch a New Zealand vs Ireland live stream

FloRugby has bagged the rights to the New Zealand vs Ireland live stream in the USA. 

Fans can sign up to FloRugby for $29.99 per month or $150 for the year. You'll find FloRugby apps available on most smart devices including iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast and Apple TV.

South Africa: New Zealand vs Ireland live stream

As ever, SuperSport is the place to watch Ireland's tour of New Zealand in South Africa. The African online sports channel will broadcast the games via its DStv satellite platform.

Ireland vs New Zealand Test series fixtures 2022

All Blacks

(Image credit: Wikipedia: By paddynapper - New Zealand Team - RLWC 2008Uploaded by SpecialWindler, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6830829)

Saturday, 2nd July 2022
New Zealand vs Ireland in Auckland - live on Sky Sports Action from 7.30am BST

Saturday, 9th July 2022
New Zealand vs Ireland in Dunedin - live on Sky Sports Action from 7.30am BST

Tuesday, 12th July 2022
Maori All Blacks vs Ireland in Wellington - live on Sky Sports Action from 8am BST

Saturday, 16th July 2022
New Zealand vs Ireland in Wellington - live on Sky Sports Action from 7.30am BST

  • Browse today's best TV deals to bag a cheap 4K, OLED or QLED TV 
What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.


Read more about how we test