Weather Forecast, line-ups, match betting and what they are saying ahead of Ireland vs the All Blacks
Ireland Rugby Captain’s Run, Solider Field, Chicago – Stuart McCloskey (Image: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)
Ireland are in Chicago to take on the All Blacks, a match with lots to play for in its own right, but one where Irish fans can’t but hark back to the 2016 win in the same city.
Ireland’s form is hard to measure, there was a third place 2025 Six Nations finish (four wins and a loss to France), there was a huge contingent away with the successful Lions in Australia, the Summer Tour XV was poor against Georgia, there is no reliable way to measure the game against Portugal.
New Zealand won the recent Rugby Championship posting four wins and two losses; the defeat in Argentina was close, the defeat to South Africa featured an even first-half before the ‘Boks took off in the second.
Yet there is a very real prize at stake, probably best described by the sense of jeopardy surrounding the fixture, because the seedings for the 2027 Rugby World Cup haven’t been decided yet. New Zealand are currently ranked second and Ireland third.
The All Blacks won’t want to fall away from being seeded for the final; Ireland will be aiming to try and nick the AB’s ‘final’ seeding but must be wary of falling down to fifth ahead of the RWC draw.
Who: Ireland vs New Zealand.
Where: Soldier Field, Chicago.
Whose ground is that? The Windy City’s American Football side Chicago Bears play there, sharing it with MLS Eastern Conference soccer franchise Chicago Fire.
What time is kick-off: 8.10pm Irish.
Put some Context on the Fixture? It is an All Blacks invite, they are on a promotional tour to spread the word about how great they (and their sponsors) are.
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France).
Jack Crowley at Ireland’s Captain’s Run at Solider Field in Chicago(Image: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)
3 x Talking Points: Ireland defeated the All Blacks for the first time in 111 years, winning 40-29 in 2016 at this ground. The 2016 Ireland team was Kearney; Trimble, Payne, Henshaw, Zebo; Sexton, Murray; McGrath, Best (capt), Toner, Ryan, Stander, Murphy, Heaslip.
Munster’s Jack Crowley will start ahead of Leinster’s Sam Prendergast at no10 for Ireland; Dan Sheehan captain the side as Caelan Doris, on return from injury, is on the bench. Former Leinster centre Jordie Barrett will start at no12 for the All Blacks. He will/will not have not crucial insider knowledge of the Leinster-blocked Ireland set up – there are 12 Leinster players in the Ireland starting XV.
Quotes Corner: What They Are saying
Andy Farrell: “The halfway stage between World Cup cycles is being talked about, so there’s always a re-assess where all parts of our game are at and we’ve certainly done that.
“It’s up to us to make sure that we keep kicking on because staying where we are isn’t going to be good enough going forward.”
Ireland Asst Coach Paul O’Connell: “We are probably a little bit inconsistent. We had a really good start to the Six Nations. Then we were a little bit inconsistent after that and that’s frustrating for us as coaches, in terms of what we are doing. It’s frustrating for the lads as well.
“We are trying to develop squad depth the same as anyone else, but probably we’re trying to win now and in the future, and that’s really important for us. We’re trying to evolve rather than make big changes. We’re always trying to figure out ways to build depth, looking forward to the World Cup, but also trying to maintain what we stand for as much as possible.”
All Blacks Coach Scott Robertson: Jordie’s got a coach’s eye. He understands details really well. But he just chips in where he needs to, not too much, but in some key areas and parts of their identity that we need to understand to know how they’re going to play. So it’s been invaluable.”
All Blacks star Ardie Savea: “They’ve been world No.1. They know their game so well and how they want to play. When they get it right, they’re a very dangerous side,” he explained.
“We’ve been on the back end of a few of those [losses]. It’s a great challenge to not only match them but come out on top. Their game is based on collisions. It’s hard and direct. No handbrakes, they like to win quick ball, and they play.
Match Betting: 4/11 New Zealand – 25/1 Draw – Ireland 23/10
Handicap: Ireland +7, 10/11.
Any Advance Weather Forecast: Light rain
Fun Fact 1#: Ireland had 16 players on the Lions Tour to Australia last summer
Fun Fact 2#: Ireland’s Paddy McCarthy, 22, will be making his international debut should he be brought on from the bench
Ireland Last Five Results:
Portugal 7 – 106 Ireland
Georgia 5 – 34 Ireland
Italy 17-22 Ireland
Ireland 27-42 France
Wales 18-27 Ireland
Last Ireland XV (v Portugal):J O’Brien; T O’Brien, Gavin, McCloskey, Bolton; Crowley, Casey; Boyle, G McCarthy, Clarkson, Ahern, D Murray, Baird, Kendellan, C PrendergastAll Blacks Last Five Results
Australia 14-28 New ZealandNew Zealand 33-24 AustraliaNew Zealand 10-43 South AfricaNew Zealand 24-17 South AfricaArgentina 29-23 New ZealandWhat TV channels is the match on: Virgin Media One, TNT Sport (Ire & UK) and IrishRugby+ (for countries without a broadcaster)TEAMS
Ireland: Jamie Osborne; Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan (capt), Tadhg Furlong; James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne; Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Paddy McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson, Caelan Doris, Craig Casey, Sam Prendergast, Bundee Aki
Coach Andy Farrell (2019)
New Zealand: Will Jordan; Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke; Beauden Barrett, Cam Roigard; Ethan De Groot, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell; Scott Barrett, Fabian Holland; Simon Parker, Ardie Savea, Peter Lakai
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Damian McKenzie.
Coach: Scott Robertson (2023)