New Zealand assistant coach Tamati Ellison is expecting a tough test from Ireland. Photo: Getty
There weren’t quite gunshots in the Chicago air – as was the case during Ireland’s preparations in 2016 – but the loud screech of sirens did provide the soundtrack for the All Blacks’ training at the University of Illinois, where the facilities weren’t exactly befitting of their world-class status.
The bumpy pitch was matched by a pair of make-shift rugby goalposts that would have looked out of place at any local rugby club in Ireland.