Wood set to reach half-century

Keith Wood will win his 50th cap when he leads an unchanged Ireland team into Saturday's second Test against New Zealand in Auckland.

The Ireland captain became his country's most capped hooker when he made his 46th appearance to beat Ken Kennedy's milestone. Now he is looking to avenge last Saturday's 15-6 defeat in Dunedin as the Irish end their short tour to New Zealand at Eden Park.

The Lions centre Brian O'Driscoll should be fit despite aggravating an ankle injury suffered in the first Test.

The Australian Rugby Union is insisting that all players contracted to them must see out their deals with their Australian clubs before they can play abroad. Bath will have to do without Queensland Reds back row forward Mark Connors, but Graeme Bond is close to agreeing a contract with Sale. Bond and Connors must now play for their clubs in Sydney and Brisbane until the end of September.

In Adelaide, the New South Wales Waratahs full-back Manny Edmonds guided Australia A to a 32-31 win over France A at the Adelaide Oval. Edmonds scored tries on either side of half-time and landed a late penalty.