Match report
Brendan Fanning’s report from Soldier Field has landed, which means it’s time for me to go … thanks very much for reading and your emails and tweets. Bye!
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Make no mistake about it though, that was an Ireland victory, not an All Blacks defeat.
Eight for Axel. Super tribute to @IrishRugby legend Anthony Foley as Ireland face down the @AllBlacks haka. pic.twitter.com/buaviFgbx2
— Ireland CG Chicago (@IrelandChicago) November 5, 2016
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For New Zealand. the inquest will begin in earnest. Far too lethargic, too indisciplined in the first half they left themselves with just too much to do and having raced through the gears like only they can they could not quite get their noses in front and Henshaw’s try proved decisive – in the same way that Sexton’s missed penalty three years ago would have.
They of course are not superhuman, they were always going to lose at some point but fingers will be pointed at the fact that it was in Chicago. All week has been one rampant PR machine – the All Blacks determined to spread their gospel to the US, aware of the commercial avenues it represents, especially with an impasse over the global calendar beyond 2019. It may of course have nothing to do with it, Ireland were inspired after all, but punt out that many pictures of players squeezing every last drop out of being in Chicago and fingers will be pointed.
But they will be back. On a separate note, all England have to do is win all four of their internationals, another grand slam and they’ll beat New Zealand’s record …
Poor, poor Italy... #AllBlacks
— Michael Aylwin (@mdmaylwin) November 5, 2016
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Rory Best is speaking to NBC on the pitch: “We just talked about attacking New Zealand. You can see how much it means to our boys. I couldn’t be prouder of the work we put in. It’s been a long time coming, it’s history made. We’re ecstatic.”
So proud! 🇮🇪
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) November 5, 2016
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New Zealand’s winning streak of 18 comes to an end, paying the price in the end for a quite woeful first-half performance. Take nothing away from Ireland though – Murray, Sexton, Stander, Zebo, Best … take your pick, they were all fantastic.
Standing up to the haka in a figure of eight in tribute to Anthony Foley, Ireland were magnificent from the word go. It got hairy in the second half, it was always likely to, and when Scott Barrett’s try – converted by his brother Beauden – brought New Zealand to within four, the comeback felt inevitable.
But it was not to be. New Zealand came back from 15 points to win in Dublin three years ago the last time these sides met but not this time.
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Full-time! Ireland 40-29 New Zealand
At the 29th time of trying, after 111 years, Ireland have beaten the All Blacks, in Chicago, in the same week as the Cubs ended their 108-year wait for a World Series. Remarkable! Absolutely remarkable!
@gerard_meagher mother of sweet lanterin jaysus! What a performance! Super stuff! As I said before up there with Logan's Eurovision wins!
— John McEnerney (@MackerOnTheMed) November 5, 2016
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80 mins: Carbery misses the penalty but it is not going to matter. Henshaw almost pounces on a loose ball for another try but it’s a knock-on and a New Zealand scrum. There are seconds to go, the clock is red … it’s an Ireland penalty! And that’s the full-time whistle!
78 mins: New Zealand have the ball but it keeps going to ground. They’re rattled and there is going to be no way back from this. New Zealand knock it on, give away the penalty and Ireland will cruise to victory – a first ever victory against the All Blacks in 111 years of trying.
Conversion! (Carbery 78) Ireland 40-New Zealand 29
77 mins: Carbery nails the conversion, and that should be that.
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Try! (Henshaw 76) Ireland 38-29 New Zealand
77 mins: WOOOWWWWWWWWSSSEEEERRRRS!!!!! Heaslip breaks from the back of the scrum, runs the switch with Henshaw who forces his way over. Jesus wept!
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75 mins: Oh wow. Murray fires the scrum to Carbery, who finds Payne, who loops a brave pass to Zebo. His kick on is perfectly judged and Ireland swarm on Savea who is pushed out. It’s an Ireland scrum, five metres out … a reminder that they lead by four points!
73 mins: Heaslip picks up and finds Murray who nudges through, New Zealand have it five metres from halfway. Barrett brings them into the Ireland half. Perenara has been fantastic since he came on. He’s changed the game dare I say it but Ireland are still remarkably committed in defence and Trimble forces the error from Squire. Another Ireland scrum. Just over six minutes to hold out.
72 mins: New Zealand get the driving maul going, and going, Coles has it at the back and still they come forwards. Perenara almost snipes through but it’s with the forwards again. It’s knocked on by I think Faumuina. Respite for Ireland again. Although they’ll need to win the scrum and go again.
This is a breathless, frantic game of rugby @gerard_meagher. I'm absolutely bricking it and I'm only 1/4 Irish. The ABs are so menacing.
— Guy Hornsby (@GuyHornsby) November 5, 2016
71 mins: On a replay of the turnover, Carbery’s knee appears to find Moala’s back there. That looked painful, and he’ll need some treatment. It didn’t look malicious but it was a knee nonetheless.
This break in play will no doubt suit Ireland.
70 mins: Barrett finds touch. There have been a raft of replacements but Coles is still on finds Read. Ireland have forced the knock-on on the edge of the Ireland 22 though and Murray boots it clear. Savea fields, kicks to Carbery who calls for the mark. And breathe a bit more.
68 mins: Stander rips off his scrum cap and throws it away. Murray puts in. Ireland keep the ball in hand and Dillane has a blast. Still Ireland are in their own half and it’s New Zealand with the frightening line speed. Murray clears and Carbery was a shade too early with his tackle on Barrett.
66 mins: Carbery earns Ireland a bit of time with an excellent touchfinder so New Zealand have it in their own 22. It’s kicked clear, Murray gathers but is pushed into touch, Coles takes the lineout quickly and the All Blacks are almost away again, Savea unable to hold on to the ball on the left. Scrum just inside the Ireland half.
Conversion (Beauden Barrett 64) Ireland 33-29 New Zealand
64 mins: Beauden Barrett converts. And New Zealand are to within four.
Try! (Scott Barrett 63) Ireland 33-27 New Zealand
63 mins: So it’s a New Zealand scrum on the Ireland 22, five metres in from the left. Cruden is on and gets a touch. Squire drives New Zealand into the 22. Cruden then fires it out to the left where Coles is (again). And the Irish defence is breached again. Squire shows delightfully soft hands to feed the onrushing Scott Barrett who reaches out an arm to dot down.
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62 mins: It’s a scrum on halfway, Murray to put in. Carbery gets an early couple of touches, but Ardie Savea has turned over and the All Blacks race down the left. A certain try is stopped only by Kearney stooping to stop a grubber. New Zealand are simply breath-taking with quick turnover ball.
60 mins: Murray launches high again and his Munster team-mate Zebo takes a wonderful catch. New Zealand turn it over though, but Ireland follow suit. Joey Carbery is on for Sexton now. What a match for the New Zealand-born fly-half, who turned 21 on Tuesday, to make his debut in …
Penalty (Murray 59) Ireland 33-22 New Zealand
59 mins: Sexton has cramp, so Murray takes the kick … but he rattles it over. That took some courage but Ireland have an 11-point lead.
Conversion! (Barrett 57) Ireland 30-22 New Zealand
57 mins: Barrett fires over a low, pretty ugly conversion but it’s two points nonetheless. Ominous for Ireland. They need something to stem the tide. And they may just have it. A penalty at the restart against Read.
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Try! (Ben Smith 56) Ireland 30-20 New Zealand
56 mins: New Zealand pinch the lineout, and they’re up into the 22, and Ben Smith thinks he’s over in the corner. And just like that New Zealand are back to within 10 with a conversion to come. Raynal will check with the TMO but it appears to be good.
The All Blacks’ ability to race through the gears is unparalleled in rugby union, and dare I say it world sport. The try is given …
55 mins: Sexton’s turn to go high, Barrett takes it, Ben Smith has it and straightens, and the ball is worked to Savea on the left. He pins back his ears but Trimble makes a fantastic tackle and Savea is in touch. And breathe.
54 mins: New Zealand have a lineout and work the ball the Barrett who goes high but Kearney gathers expertly. New Zealand have worked out their lineout problem, it seems.
Conversion! (Barrett 52) Ireland 30-15 New Zealand
52 mins: Barrett slots the conversion, wasting little time in the process. Ireland cannot go into their shells but that said, they need to keep New Zealand out for the next 10 or so minutes.
Try! (Perenara 51) Ireland 30-13 New Zealand
51 mins: New Zealand must show a bit of urgency and they race up to the Ireland 22. Ireland’s line speed remains impressive but Coles wriggles through, offloads and somehow Perenara gathers to strike back for the All Blacks almost immediately. Here we go!
49 mins: From the left, Sexton is off target with the conversion. Zebo’s try was worked with the kind of precision that is usually only seen in the southern hemisphere. Ireland have the courage of their convictions. It’s going to take something extraordinary from the All Blacks to turn this around.
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Try! (Zebo 48) Ireland 30-8 New Zealand
48 mins: Ireland need to make sure with this lineout. Best tries to find Stander, and does. Here goes the drive. It’s rumbling towards the line. It doesn’t get there, it’s brought down illegally but Murray wants more than three, fires it left to Sexton who finds Zebo on the left. Yikes!!!!!
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47 mins: Ireland’s defensive line speed is remarkable. It’s got Andy Farrell’s fingerprints all over it and after New Zealand clear long, Kearney looks to have been tackled high by Moody. Raynal think so but he wants to check with the TMO. Marginal, the first hit is on the chest but it slips up to the neck. Penalty only. It’s on halfway and Sexton hits the left-hand corner.
46 mins: It’s scrappy, that’s a shame for Ireland. Scott Barrett is on for New Zealand so he and Beauden are now the 45th brothers to play for the All Blacks. New Zealand scrum. Perenara is also on for Aaron Smith.
45 mins: And Sexton thumps the penalty down field. Best to take the lineout just outside the 22.
44 mins: New Zealand’s drive goes nowhere but Trimble’s attempt to claim Aaron Smith’s high kick is dreadful. New Zealand are looking dangerous but Ireland’s defenders are swarming. Barrett’s loose pass is picked up by Squire so the All Blacks still have it. Loose again, this time from Aaron Smith. And Sexton? Yes Sexton makes the turnover.
42 mins: The subsequent clearance is poor though so here come New Zealand, up to the Ireland 22. Both props carry strongly before Coles pops up on the left. It’s spilled forward though and Trimble wellies it clear. Up to just beyond halfway.
Peeeeeeeeep!
41 mins: We’re back underway. Ireland clear their lines after fielding the restart and it touched black on the way out so Ireland have the lineout.
A stat for you, 17 points equals New Zealand’s biggest ever half-time deficit. They were also 17 down against Australia in Brisbane in 2011. Australia won that day 25-20.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that in Dublin three years ago, Ireland didn’t score a point in the second half. What they wouldn’t give for an early penalty in front of the posts.
There two New Zealanders with some important words of wisdom to impart at the moment. Steve Hansen won’t be panicking, he doesn’t do panic, but New Zealand have a lethargy about them that they need to shrug off, and fast.
Joe Schmidt on the other hand was visibly wounded three years ago. Do not underestimate how much he would love to guide his side to victory over the All Blacks.
Half-time! Ireland 25-8 New Zealand
That is not a typo, Ireland are 17 points to the good at half-time at Soldier Field and they are worth every point. New Zealand, from the word go, have been horribly ill-disciplined and their lineout has been terrible with no Whitelock or Retallick but these are the world champions, with 18 straight wins in a row, those sort of things are not supposed to register.
Ireland meanwhile are playing with an intensity that Anthony Foley would be proud of. Facing down the haka in a figure of eight in tribute to Foley, Ireland have been quite magnificent. Thunderous in defence, twice using the choke tackle to excellent effect, Stander is having a game for the ages.
But it is the spring in their step, the confidence that has really impressed. There’s no doubting that Ireland play well when Murray and Sexton play well and those two have been the most impressive performers. Kicking expertly and keeping the All Blacks penned in. Kearney is also having a stormer at full-back.
This is the All Blacks though. They were 15 points down at the break in Dublin three years ago and rallied. They can score tries from anywhere … and they’ve never lost to Ireland in 28 matches. And there is no doubting they will improve after the break.
Don’t go anywhere.
40 mins: New Zealand sweep from right to left before Naholo is finally brought down. And another choke tackle, executed perfectly, earns Ireland a scrum. In, out and off the field I’d have thought …
39 mins: Murray has it on the 22. Cane forces a crucial turnover for the All Blacks there. Perhaps a little bit of overagerness from Ireland. Barrett finds touch and there’ll be a New Zealand lineout on halfway.
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38 mins: Wowsers. Savea claims a Murray bomb but Stander, through sheer force of will, batters him back and effects the turnover. Murray clips one over the top into space and Ben Smith has to scramble. The All Blacks are on the ropes.
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37 mins: Having said that, Ireland are not trying to hold what they have. They’re happy to attack the frankly woeful All Blacks lineout and they have a lineout of their own after shoving Savea out of play. Here comes the drive.
Conversion! (Sexton 35) Ireland 25-8 New Zealand
35 minutes: Sexton receives a bit of treatment. that’s a worry for Ireland because he’s been excellent so far but he dusts himself down to knock over the conversion. Ireland must be thinking ‘don’t concede before half-time, don’t concede before half-time’ …
Try! (Murray 34) Ireland 23-8 New Zealand
34 mins: OH MY WORD! Murray, the standout player of the first half, shows and goes and dashes under the posts, catching Aaron Smith off guard. Echoes of Dublin 2013 x a million. Murray always seems to up his game against New Zealand and there’s daylight between the two sides now.
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33 mins: The usual scrum delays end with Murray finding Sexton and then the onrushing Payne up the middle. Sexton sends it hight. Barrett overruns it and Murray snaffles it. So Ireland are just outside the New Zealand 22.
31 mins: Van der Flier gets his hands on the ball before Zebo thumps a low kick straight at Naholo – who knocks it on. Again, everything seems to be going Ireland’s way but the root of New Zealand’s problems is their misfiring lineout. With no Whitelock or Retallick perhaps it’s understandable.
30 mins: Stander dislodges the ball from Barrett though and Murray fires it away to safety – to around halfway. That’s an excellent clearance. Stander is on fire. And Ireland claim the New Zealand lineout again!
29 mins: Smith kicks over the top, right into the corner but Zebo pivots and clears left-footed. Sharp work from the Munster wing there. Interest from New Zealand but they have it back, inside the 22 on the left.
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28 mins: New Zealand rumble up to halfway and a bit of magic from Barrett works space for Moala, who finds Savea, who runs out of space. He gets it back, and makes what looks conspiciously like a forward pass, but New Zealand are up to the 22 and are building a head of steam.
27 mins: We’re back underway after a long old break. Coles with the lineout on the New Zealand 10-metre line – and Ireland have disrupted it again. New Zealand scramble it back but excellent line speed keeps the All Blacks at bay. For now.
Lovely Munster banner spotted at Soldier Field - 'God took Axl to tackle Lomu' #IREvNZL
— Catherine Halloran (@popcornhack) November 5, 2016
It is indeed the end of Murphy’s day so Van der Flier is on. It’s a lengthy stoppage though. Murphy appears to be in a fair bit of trouble. Can’t help but think that this break will be more beneficial to New Zealand rather than Ireland.
@gerard_meagher put my 16mth twins down pre haka didn't think Ireland wud b up by 10. As we aknow from 2013 it ain't over till the AB's say
— John McEnerney (@MackerOnTheMed) November 5, 2016
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26 mins: Again Murray and Sexton link up well before Murray launches on … Zebo managed to catch it infield before taking it out. That was an excellent chase.
A couple of injuries … Crotty is limping off so Fekitoa is coming on and Murphy’s day is done it appears. He’s down on the ground and in a lot of pain.
25 mins: Everything is going Ireland’s way at the moment and a textbook choke tackle on Kaino earns a scrum for the ‘hosts’.
Penalty! (Sexton 23) Ireland 18-8 New Zealand
23 mins: Sexton, from just inside the 22 and to the left, makes no mistake. He prefers them from the left alright.
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22 mins: Ireland win the restart so have it on New Zealand’s 22. Zebo almost gets clear down the left. He can’t get their but after Murray fizzes a pass into Coles, it’s another Ireland penalty. Sexton will kick at goal …
It was Kearney who won the restart. He’s having a stormer despite a number of eyebrows (mine included) being raised at his inclusion.
Penalty! (Barrett 22) Ireland 15-8 New Zealand
21 mins: Barrett bisects the posts so New Zealand are back to within a score. Moala’s fortuitous try, thanks to Naholo’s magnificent run aside though, New Zealand have barely had the ball.
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20 mins: Sexton and Murray and working the ball well but Zebo is caught a bit there, and after another phase or two New Zealand have forced the turnover and now they have the penalty. Their ability to scent an opportunity is frightening. Barrett will kick at goal though. It’s in front of the posts but it’s a measure that the All Blacks are a touch rattled.
19 mins: That’s another penalty against New Zealand! Zebo was taken early at the restart by Naholo. Raynal gives Read a stern talking to. Sexton thumps clear and Ireland have another attacking lineout.
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18 mins: Sexton is wide with the conversion so Ireland lead by 10.
Try! (Stander) Ireland 15-5 New Zealand
17 mins: Best finds Heaslip, it’s not clean but Ireland have it deep inside the New Zealand 22 and they’re playing advantage. Kearney wriggles his way to just short! And it’s another try for Ireland! Stander it is who picks up and dots down. Wow. Echoes of Dublin 2013!
15 mins: Ireland win it back though and continue to back their handling skills. Murray has been busy and really impressive early on. And Ireland have a penalty after a high tackle from Squire. More indiscipline from the All Blacks. And Sexton wellies it right into the corner …
13 mins: Ben Smith’s return kick is too long though and Murray calls a mark. It’s a lineout right on halfway, and the All Blacks are under a bit of pressure – but Heaslip gives away a needless penalty. Silly.
12 mins: Ireland back themselves to go through the phases in their own 22 before Sexton wallops it down field but doesn’t find touch.
Conversion! (Sexton 11) Ireland 10-5 New Zealand
11 mins: Sexton strikes it well and nails the conversion from the left-hand touchline.
Try! (Murphy 10) Ireland 8-5 New Zealand
10 mins: Ireland drive their way up to the 22 and New Zealand collapse the maul. Ireland play a bit of advantage but knock on so it’s a penalty. Kicked to the corner. Bold. I like it.
Here goes the driving maul again, it’s almost over the line, it’s right in the corner … it’s a complete mess. We’ll go upstairs. Raynal asks for a reason why he can’t award the try but hints at a knock-on …
Oooh the tension. Raynal wants another angle. The potential knock-on is straight from the lineout, but it has been ignored! And it’s a try for Ireland! That was crucial with New Zealand down to 14.
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Yellow card! (Moody)
9mins: Mathieu Raynal wants to have a look at the replay of something. Hmm. It’s Moody with a potential tip tackle on Henshaw. Doesn’t look good. Moody’s going to get a card here. It’s going to be yellow.
Henshaw lands on his back/shoulder area which saves Moody from a red. Which is silly. But there you go. Sexton boots deep so Ireland have a lineout and look to get the driving maul going.
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7 mins: New Zealand go through the phases, making ground with remarkable ease. Barrett then boots long and Kearney gives Naholo the slip. Ireland are closing in on halfway but they’re being driving backwards. Towards their 22. But it’s an Ireland penalty. Kaino not rolling away.
Barrett misses the conversion so it’s as you were. If Naholo does much more of that though, this will be a long day for Ireland.
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Try! (Moala 5) Ireland 3-5 New Zealand
5 mins: Well that was explosive. Ben Smith fielded a huge Murray bomb, Naholo scythed through the Ireland defence, stepping on the afterburners, and CJ Stander, racing back, knocked the ball into Read’s face before Moala dots down. No knock-on, so it’s a try.
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Penalty (Sexton 4) Ireland 3-0 New Zealand
4 mins: No mistake from Sexton and it’s an early lead for Ireland after some early ill discipline from the All Blacks.
3 mins: Ireland have another penalty though – Moody not rolling away – and this one is definitely in Sexton’s range. Remember his last kick at goal against New Zealand? I bet he does.
2 mins: Ireland have penalty, towards the right. Murray wants to go quickly but Sexton goes for the right-hand corner. Ireland on the front foot early on. The atmosphere, isn’t exactly what it would be at Lansdowne Road, put it like that.
Peeeeeeeeeeep!
1 min: Sexton kicks off and Aaron Smith, back after missing the last three Tests, kicks clear. Best with the lineout on the All Blacks’ 10-metre line.
Time for the haka. Look’s like it’s TJ Perenara with the honour of leading this one.
Ireland form a figure of eight in response, in tribute of course to Anthony Foley. A lovely touch.
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After a tribute to Anthony Foley it’s the New Zealand anthem first. My mum’s from Timaru … I don’t know the words.
Now the Ireland anthem. My dad’s from Tipperary … I don’t know the words.
From the sounds of things, nor does anyone else in the crowd. But I think no one knew when to come in, owing to a bit of superfluous fiddling. Moving swiftly on …
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Looking at the crowd, which is bathed in sunshine, it looks like there’s more green than black but that said, there are plenty of New Zealand supporters in attendance.
Anthems soon, we’re less than 10 minutes from kick-off.
A loose bet on Jared Payne to strike with the first try … a saver on Aaron Smith to do so. Which means I’ve bet against myself … great.
We’re 15 minutes from kick-off and the closer we get, the more I can’t see New Zealand being stopped. The danger is that the unfamiliar surroundings and an eagerness to please gives it the feel of an exhibition match, though if it’s anything like the BaaBaas’ draw with South Africa earlier that would be no bad thing.
But let’s face it, New Zealand will have to have a very bad day and Ireland an extremely good one to still be in the contest with 10 minutes to go. And it’s one thing being in the contest with 10 minutes to go, another thing beating them. Indeed, Pat Lambie’s late penalty being the notable exception, on the rare occasions that New Zealand are beaten it tends to be by more than a score. In other words, with a couple of minutes to go you’d best be out of touching distance.
My prediction: All Blacks by between 15 and 20. Time for a bet … I’ll report back.
New Zealand team
The front row is unchanged from the 37-10 victory over Australia last time out but it’s in the second row where it’s all change – with no Sam Whitelock or Brodie Retallick, Jerome Kaino, he who was born in American Samoa, moves from blindside and Patrick Tuipulotu joins him. Liam Squire comes into the No6 shirt, Sam Cane comes back in at openside and Kieran Read captains the world champions from No8.
Aaron Smith is back from a stint in the naughty corner and returns at scrum-half while the irrepressible Beauden Barrett continues at No10. As mentioned earlier Ryan Crotty is back at inside-centre with George Moala outside him. Waisake Naholo and Julian Savea are on the wings and Ben Smith is at full-back.
On the bench is Scott Barrett younger brother of Beauden. The pair will become the 45th brothers to play for the All Blacks as and when Scott comes on. By the by, there are two more brothers … Kane, the eldest, and Jordie, the youngest and according to some the best of the lot. Ardie Savea is also on the bench and if both sets of brothers are on the pitch, it’ll be the first time that has happened since 1961.
By the by take two, the Barretts spent a couple of years in their youth living in County Meath, playing Gaelic football with St Brigid’s club and St Fiach’s National School in Ballinacre.
Loved my GAA days in County Meath. Hope you're well mate. https://t.co/CGgZDe0BIl
— Beauden Barrett (@beaudenbarrett) April 15, 2016
ICYMI: Here is your #AllBlacks 23 to take on Ireland this weekend. Where in the world will YOU be watching?#NZLvIRE #TeamAllBlacks pic.twitter.com/d4ULnbfjKw
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 3, 2016
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Ireland team
It’s Jack McGrath at loosehead, not Rory Best, who occupies his usual hooker position and captains the side and Tadhg Furlong at tighthead. Leinster lamp post Devin Toner and Donnacha Ryan are in the second row while CJ Stander, Jordi Murphy and Jamie Heaslip comprise the back row.
Behind them it’s Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton while Robbie Henshaw and Tauranga-born Jared Payne are in midfield with Simon Zebo, Andrew Trimble and Rob Kearney making up the back three of an experienced Ireland XV.
Keep an eye out for the New Zealand-born Joey Carbery and the Leinster centre Garry Ringrose though … both are on the bench, both should get on and both have extremely bright futures ahead of them. Yours truly is also a big fan of Ultan Dillane who provides second-row cover on the bench while Josh van der Flier is another promising youngster and a headline writer’s dream.
IRELAND v NEW ZEALAND, Soldier Field, 3pm local time/8pm Irish - live eir Sport 2/BT Sport 2 HD/RTÉ Radio 1/ https://t.co/bdd8s7KGZk pic.twitter.com/DjyIq8pEyf
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 5, 2016
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Preamble
Hello world! There can be no doubting that Chicago is the place to be at the moment. The Cubs have just ended their 108-year wait for a World Series victory and Ireland’s wait for a win over New Zealand extends even longer …
The odds that they will end it today at Soldier Field are long. New Zealand arrive on the back of 18 consecutive victories, as we all know a world record for a tier one nation, and as the All Blacks continue to explore commercial avenues in the US, they will be determined to put on a show.
They’ve been here before of course, cruising to a 74-6 win over the USA two years ago and the side selected by Steve Hansen is strong. It features Ryan Crotty, whose last-gasp try in Dublin in 2013 denied Ireland a famous victory over the All Blacks and while Ireland’s XV is experienced and pretty much first choice – fitness permitting – it’s hard not to see this as a precursor to their meeting at the Aviva Stadium in two weeks’ time, where Joe Schmidt’s side will have a better chance of stopping the All Blacks.
Team news for you shortly but in the meantime, catch up with what happened earlier – namely a shellacking for Wales at the hands of Australia which, in ominous news for Ireland, suggests the gap between the north and the south is as wide as ever.
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