Dan Sheehan: ‘We never really got going’

By contrast, Ireland were frustrated after slipping to defeat. Skipper for the day Dan Sheehan couldn’t hide his disappointment at the result.

“It is a bitter pill to swallow,” said Sheehan. “To be honest I never thought we really got going.

“We were operating at about 80 per cent going into half-time but there was a lot of inaccuracy and ill-discipline in the second half. Our training the last two weeks has been physical and good.

“Hopefully we can get better for Japan next week. We have three big games back at the Aviva now. We need to focus on our set-piece and breakdown, where we massively struggled today.”

Luke Baker1 November 2025 22:45

Fabian Holland: ‘We wanted to make a statement’

All Blacks lock Fabian Holland impressed today and earned man-of-the-match honours. Here’s what he had to say about the win.

“It was a massive game for us,” said Holland. “Thank you to everyone for coming out, it means the world to us.

“Credit to Ireland, they are a great side. We’re stoked to get the win. We wanted to make a statement at the start of this tour and hopefully we did that.

“We had to adjust with Scott and Jordie Barrett going off in the first half and the boys did so beautifully. We wanted to keep playing All Black rugby in the second half and back each other up.”

Luke Baker1 November 2025 22:33

WATCH: All Blacks down Ireland in Chicago

Here’s the best of the action from Ireland’s victory at Soldier Field.

Luke Baker1 November 2025 22:25

Ireland 13-26 New Zealand

The All Blacks had too much for Ireland in the end and it’s a frustrating start to the autumn for Andy Farrell’s men

(AP)(AP)(AP)

Luke Baker1 November 2025 22:16

FULL-TIME! Ireland 13-26 New Zealand

And it’s all over in Chicago. Retribution for that day in 2016 as New Zealand put up a strong second-half performance to down Ireland.

Not the return that Andy Farrell wanted from Lions duty as they saw a 10-0 lead slip away and the All Blacks get the job done

(AP)

Luke Baker1 November 2025 22:05

Ireland 13-26 New Zealand, 78 mins

Roigard comes off immediately after that try as Cortez Ratima is on as the final All Black sub. They can jsut see this game out now.

Luke Baker1 November 2025 22:03

TRY! Ireland 13-26 New Zealand (Cam Roigard, 77 mins)

And that’s game, set and match. New Zealand will be leaving Chicago as victors.

The scrum is solid, Cam Roigard drifts let and throws a dummy pass before cutting back inside. Van der Flier falls of him, another chop step gets him past Doris and the All Black scrum half is over. A 10th international try for Roigard and perhaps slightly soft.

(AP)

Luke Baker1 November 2025 22:01

Ireland 13-21 New Zealand, 76 mins

Ireland get a reprieve as New Zealand are pinged at the lineout, so the Irish have a scrum in their own 22. Not ideal when they need to go the length of the field but at least it’s their put-in…

Almost disaster as Ireland spread the ball to the left but the pass from Aki is loose, too far in front of Osborne, it bounces around and Lowe knocks on trying to collect. Now an All Black scrum five metres out…

Luke Baker1 November 2025 21:58

Ireland 13-21 New Zealand, 73 mins

Sititi with another big carry, making good metres after contact.

The Irish discipline is waning here. Pinged again for offside and New Zealand kick to the corner. The game is slipping away from Andy Farrell and co.

Luke Baker1 November 2025 21:55

WATCH: Sititi adds to New Zealand lead

Here’s that Wallace Sititi try – lovely play from the All Blacks

Luke Baker1 November 2025 21:54