New Zealand begin a four-day Test match against Ireland on Wednesday at Stormont in Belfast, serving as preparation for their upcoming series against England.
The fifth-ranked tourists are heavy favorites against an Irish side playing only their 13th Test and first ever against New Zealand.
>>> Kasper Schmeichel Retires Due to Severe Shoulder Injury
Ireland's last home Test was a victory over Zimbabwe at the same venue in July 2024, while New Zealand recorded wins against the West Indies and Zimbabwe in 2025.
Captain Tom Latham said the squad remains fully concentrated on the immediate challenge despite missing several players due to franchise commitments.
"We're certainly not taking it lightly.
We come here with a slightly different squad, some guys not being here through other commitments with franchise stuff," Latham said.
He noted that the available players have sufficient Test experience to navigate the fixture successfully.
"But most of the guys in this group have played Test cricket and it's important to learn from those experiences," Latham added.
The skipper reiterated that the team is prioritizing the current match over their long-term tour schedule.
"We are solely focused on this match and we're looking forward to what the next four days presents," Latham said.
New Zealand intend to implement their specific tactical approach throughout the match.
"We want to come here and display our skills as best we can and play our brand of cricket as best we can," Latham explained.
Latham noted that a lack of recent red-ball footage of Ireland requires his players to adapt in real time.
