Can Ireland achieve the impossible against New Zealand at Eden Park?

For Ireland, the final match of their Southern Series campaign in the Nations Championship presents one of the toughest assignments in rugby union – facing the All Blacks at Eden Park.

Not since 1994 when France shocked the world with a 22-8 win in Auckland have the All Blacks lost at their “Mecca” as Andy Farrell named it, winning a convincing 52 games straight in 31 years and defying anyone to come and break that ferocious winning streak.

Ireland has pretty dour memories of the Park; suffering a number of heavy defeats at the hands of the All Blacks.

However, in 2022 Ireland shocked the world by winning a three-part test series in New Zealand with two comprehensive wins over the host nation.

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A rivalry is born

This saw Farrell’s men fly up the world rankings and set them up nicely for the following World Cup in France.

Since Ireland’s first win over the All Blacks at Soldier Field in Chicago in 2016, a healthy rivalry has developed between the two teams, and for Ireland it proved the launch pad to becoming what is now widely acknowledged as one of rugby union’s heavyweights.

In the last six encounters, it’s all level with three wins apiece for Ireland and New Zealand.

However, with the teams now building towards the upcoming World Cup, the All Blacks will have no room for a shock defeat.

Chasing the crown

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie acknowledges the challenge Ireland pose and recently said: “There is a healthy amount of respect for the Irish.

“We’re all well aware of their ability and they’ll come in and genuinely believe they can beat us.”

Ireland and British & Irish Lions head coach Farrell relishes the challenge ahead and believes his side are the fortunate ones to be given the honour of attempting to claim the crown of Eden Park.

“It’s fantastic,” Farrell said. “I feel we’re the fortunate ones and we are the lucky ones in the sense that we get the opportunity to go to Eden Park.

“We had that fortune in 2022, first game up. Obviously, we couldn’t get that over the line. We’re pretty lucky to be back there and have another shot at it.”

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