Nine years after Ireland made history in Chicago, beating the All Blacks for the first time ever, these two sides have returned to the city for the rematch.<\/p>\n
It might be a stretch for some to say that New Zealand are out for revenge, given just four All Blacks \u2013 Beauden Barrett, Scott Barrett, Codie Taylor and Ardie Savea \u2013 remain from that 2016 encounter, but New Zealanders have always been proud of their records and achievements, and that loss would have hurt.<\/p>\n
The result also kick-started one of the great rugby rivalries, which has seen the teams trade blows ever since. In 2022, Ireland<\/a> went over to New Zealand for a three-Test series and despite losing the first, they won the next two for a remarkable series triumph. However, it is the All Blacks<\/a> who have claimed the biggest wins, eliminating the Irish at the quarter-final stage of the last two Rugby World Cups.<\/p>\n That famous day in October 2023 was of course when Rieko Ioane drew the ire of Johnny Sexton for a comment made after the final whistle, with the feud continuing when the former fly-half gave his version of events in his autobiography.<\/p>\n Ioane won\u2019t be playing this weekend to add to the drama of the occasion, but many of the individuals that featured at the previous World Cup still remain. There is a sense that these two teams don\u2019t like each other very much and it would not be a surprise to see that tension spill over on Saturday.<\/p>\n Ireland will certainly need that fire if they are to stand any chance of claiming a victory at Soldier Field. A battle hardened outfit would definitely have more backers but, ultimately, this squad has not been together since the Six Nations due to the British and Irish Lions series.<\/p>\n When you add in the lack of game time for their Lions stars \u2013 the Leinster-Munster encounter was the only taste of action for many of them \u2013 then the All Blacks very much have the upper hand going into this weekend.<\/p>\n Where the game will be won<\/p>\n While there are several technical aspects which could decide this game, in many ways Ireland will have to focus on the emotional side of it in the early stages. There is no doubt that their players are short on match practice and if their intensity is lacking then the All Blacks, who are battle hardened following the Rugby Championship, could wrap up the game in the first half. This New Zealand side may not dominate like previous teams could, but there is still enough quality in the squad to score quick-fire tries.<\/p>\n A good start is therefore vital for Andy Farrell\u2019s men as they look to lay the foundations of set-piece, defence and a good kicking game before they seek to be effective in phase play. Under Farrell, they\u2019ve always had a wonderful ability to hold onto the ball and put defences under pressure, but that is much harder to do when you haven\u2019t played together in several months. While there is the Leinster core providing cohesion \u2013 12 players from the Dublin-based outfit start on Saturday \u2013 it is still a very different level to what they will face in Chicago.<\/p>\n As a result, Scott Robertson\u2019s side have an advantage before the game\u2019s even started. The All Blacks will certainly look to play on that, while they will also seek to improve with ball in hand. With the set-piece and front five in general functioning well, it is odd to see a New Zealand outfit struggle so much in attack, but they have yet to find that rhythm behind the scrum under Robertson. On paper, they have the edge in the set-piece and, providing they neutralise Ireland\u2019s aerial game, the Kiwis will have the platform to launch their attacks. It could be the match it finally clicks for the All Blacks.<\/p>\n All Blacks team: Five takeaways as front-row to \u2018break the bench\u2019 while \u2018unit\u2019 retained for Ireland showdown<\/a><\/p>\n Last time they met<\/p>\n What they said<\/p>\n Head coach Farrell has rejected the idea that his Ireland players will be underdone for their encounter with the All Blacks.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s irrelevant,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou guys have talked about the performances of some of the guys in the big game, Leinster v Munster, some of them hit the ground running. They\u2019re mentally prepared to give the best of themselves.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen they turn up for camp, realise what they\u2019re representing and what the shirt means, it seems to focus the mind a lot more. You still have to go out and prove it.<\/p>\n \u201cEven if people think we\u2019re underdone slightly because of lack of game time, I don\u2019t believe that, I don\u2019t believe that. These lads are fit, the challenge is for them to be mentally sharp, to be ahead of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n The person opposite Farrell in the coaching box, Robertson, also took that view.<\/p>\n \u201cThey know who they are, they\u2019ve been there long enough, they\u2019ve got a lot of cohesion and they\u2019ve played together a lot,\u201d the All Blacks boss said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve got together and they\u2019ll be pretty clear on how they play, he\u2019s [Farrell] experienced coaching, he\u2019s good and they\u2019ll be up for it.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, they\u2019ve [Ireland] got a few dings and a few players not available, so you\u2019re doing your best guess, you don\u2019t want to spend too much time on it.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, he\u2019s a big ball carrier, [Stuart] McCloskey, and he\u2019ll add to the team. Sometimes the guys get their occasion and they rise to it and I\u2019m sure he will. They\u2019ve got a really good strong bench, so I expect the best of them.\u201d<\/p>\n Players to watch<\/p>\n There are not too many surprises in the Ireland side but there has been a constant debate around the fly-half jersey and, after his player of the match performance in the Munster-Leinster clash, Jack Crowley has been given the responsibility ahead of Sam Prendergast. In truth, Crowley is the better fly-half at this point in time, but he needs to show all his quality to give his team a chance. That includes kicking well, both out of hand and off the tee, and knitting together the backline during phase play.<\/p>\n Crowley certainly needs help, however, and the fly-half will hope that he gets it from Stuart McCloskey, who provides a physical presence in the midfield, and the two Tadhgs up front, Furlong and Beirne. Those forwards both remain top-class performers but, with the All Blacks having such a strong set-piece, the onus will be on them to negate the All Blacks front five, whether it be in scrum, lineout or maul.<\/p>\n Finally, experience may be the order of the day in Farrell\u2019s selection but, following injuries to Hugo Keenan and Mack Hansen, they have been replaced by talented Leinster duo Jamie Osborne and Tommy O\u2019Brien respectively. Both are slick operators with ball in hand but Farrell will demand that they do their jobs aerially as they look to put pressure on the All Blacks under the high ball.<\/p>\n