Ireland v New Zealand – Can Andy Farrell’s men repeat history in Chicago?

By Chris Collyer

Just under a decade ago, Irish rugby claimed its biggest ever win in its 150-year history by defeating the legendary All Blacks at Soldier’s Field in Chicago, ending a 111-year run of losses to the southern hemisphere giants.

Facing the Hakka, the Irish team, captained by Ulsterman Rory Best, adopted a figure of eight stance to honour the recent and sudden loss of Munster No8 Anthony Foley before going on to win an astonishing 40-29 in front of 60,000 fans, in what is widely regarded as one of the biggest upsets and most iconic matches in rugby history.

The rivalry is soon to be reborn as the two sides battle it out once again on November 1st.

The All Blacks recently finished the Rugby Championship equalling winners South Africa with 19 points; however, a 49 points difference saw Scott Robertson’s team finish the campaign second.

For exclusive stories and all the detailed rugby news you need, subscribe to The Rugby Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.

WATCH THE RUGBY PAPER ROUNDUP HERE

Old score to settle

With travelling to Argentina, Australia and South Africa, New Zealand are battle-hardened and eager to settle an old score that catapulted Ireland into new territory and top of the table World Rankings.

Ireland, however, have not played a game since a closer than comfortable 22-17 win away to Italy in the Six Nations 2025.

The result came after a comprehensive defeat to France the week before in Dublin, with France going on to win the Six Nations Championship.

The last time Ireland and New Zealand met was in Dublin in last year’s Autumn Internationals, and it became a game Andy Farrell’s men would like to forget, in which the boys in green lost by ten points to a ruthless performance by the All Blacks.

Wider selection needed

Questions are being asked over Farrell’s dependence on Leinster, recent URC results have painted a picture for wider selection from the other four provinces, with Munster clinically dispatching Leinster at Croke Park, a game which was the first time Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley had a chance to go head-to-head, along with positive overseas results from Ulster and only a one-point loss from Connacht.

However, since Farrell took the reins of Ireland back in 2019 the team have climbed to new heights and astonishing victories including for a period regular wins over the All Blacks and other heavyweight teams, a first ever series win in New Zealand, back-to-back Six Nations Championships, record time at Rugby World Rankins Number One spot and the largest cohort of Irish players ever to feature in a British & Irish Lions tour.

Entering Soldier’s Field as underdogs once again and with no game time together since March, Ireland once again have a formidable challenge on their hands and with little time to prepare.

With a blend of new and experienced players, including Leinster’s Sam Prendergast, Farrell will likely see this match as both a development opportunity and a stepping stone toward Australia’s 2027 World Cup.

READ MORE: Leinster vs Munster history: Ireland‘s Premier Interpro rivalry