After setting a world record for consecutive Tier One wins against the Wallabies at Eden Park two weeks ago, the All Blacks return to Chicago’s Soldier Field on Saturday – this time to play Ireland.
Recent form
Ireland hit a purple patch in 2014 after current coach, Kiwi Joe Schmidt, had taken over the reigns in late 2013. Following a bumpy start in the first Autumn Internationals, Schmidt guided Ireland to a winning record of 13 out of 15 and two consecutive Six Nations’ titles. Fans were calling him “Saint Joe”.
This all came to an end last year when Ireland, along with the other Northern Hemisphere nations, crashed out of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Ireland was knocked out by Argentina 43-20 in the quarter-finals due to a disastrous 20 minutes of Puma brilliance.
Since then their form has slumped, picking up just two wins in the recent Six Nations against Italy and Scotland and one win against South Africa in a 2-1 series defeat in June.
The men from the Emerald Isles have never beaten the All Blacks in 28 encounters between the two sides. The most recent match in 2013 in Ireland was hailed as “one of the great modern internationals” The Irish led the whole match, going up 19-0 after 18 minutes and cruising to victory at 22-17 with 30 seconds remaining.
Ryan Crotty breaks Irish hearts in 2013
But New Zealand was awarded a penalty before the final whistle and in one of their most famous comebacks the whole team worked the ball upfield. Crotty scored in the corner to tie the game and although Cruden missed the conversion, more than one Irishman had charged the kick early and Cruden slotted the second attempt for the All Blacks to win 24-22.
The All Blacks’ recent record is imposing: they are the current World number one ranked team, the 2015 Rugby World Cup champions, and the 2016 Rugby Championship winners. They are on a streak of 18 consecutive wins in Tier One matches and their average winning margin this season in games against Wales, Australia, South Africa and Argentina is more than 27 points.
Not only are the All Blacks in hot form but also they have played seven matches since Ireland last played 19 weeks ago. Rustiness could be an issue for the Irish team.
Joe Schmidt – some players unfit for South Africa are back on deck
Team news
All Blacks
Coach Steve Hansen has made six changes from the side which beat Australia 37-10 two weeks ago in Auckland. Waisake Naholo takes over from the in-form Israel Dagg on the right wing, while George Moala has overcome a knee injury to be given a chance in the centres.
Openside flanker Sam Cane has recovered from a hamstring injury and is joined on the other side of the scrum by Liam Squire who has played himself into a start off the back of a couple of powerful displays from the bench in the Rugby Championship. Finally, with Retallick and Whitelock both ruled out with injury, enforcer Jerome Kaino moves from number six to lock and is joined by 124kg powerhouse Patrick Tuipulotu from Auckland.
Ireland
Schmidt has named an experienced side which includes a number of players who faced the All Blacks in the agonising 2-point defeat in 2013. There are five changes to the backline that faced South Africa in the June internationals including the returns of: outhalf Johnny Sexton, full-back Rob Kearney and wingers Simon Zebo and Robbie Henshaw, with Kiwi-born Jared Payne starting at outside centre.
Up front, promising Leinster prop Tadgh Furlong starts in the front row and Munster’s Donnacha Ryan is jumping at number 4 in a strong-looking forward pack that includes South African flanker CJ Stander and Jamie Heaslip, who has 88 caps.
George Moala v Wales 2016 – has key contest with old mate Jared Payne at outside centre
Key matchups
Johnny Sexton v Beauden Barrett – The experience and safety of Sexton versus the unpredictability and pace of Barrett. However the Kiwi first-five has struggled lately with his place kicking; so Sexton should have an edge there.
George Moala v Jared Payne – Two former Auckland teammates facing off against one another. If there are any holes in the Irish backline the may be in the midfield and Moala can find them. Alternatively, Payne is the next “O’Gara project player” and has the talent and vision to create tries.
Jamie Heaslip v Kieran Read – Heaslip is a hard-running number 8 with a good off-load and Read is one of the best in the world at that. Their battle in the forward exchanges will be one of many factors that determine how the game turns out.
Johnny Sexton – could have edge in goal-kicking
Prediction
This test match is going to be tight for the first 60 minutes for a few reasons. Ireland has a team full of experienced players and a Kiwi coach who knows his opponents and their methods. They should also benefit from the tension in the intense atmosphere of a stadium that will be pulling for the underdog, especially from the many who will be of Irish descent.
Ireland will know that the All Blacks typically pull away from opponents near the hour mark and should have something up their sleeve to close out the game in the final quarter—if not to win at that point, but at least not to lose by a blow-out.
Ireland made history this year by winning in South Africa for the first time ever, but the form that the All Blacks are in, I doubt if they will break another hoodoo and get their first win against New Zealand.
All Blacks by 12
Rob Kearney scores in 2013 – Ireland need a few of these
Team Lists
Ireland
15. Rob Kearney, 14. Andrew Trimble, 13. Jared Payne, 12. Robbie Henshaw,11. Simon Zebo, 10. Johnny Sexton, 9. Conor Murray; 8. Jamie Heaslip, 7. Jordi Murphy, 6. CJ Stander, 5. Devin Toner, 4. Donnacha Ryan, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 2. Rory Best (c), 1. Jack McGrath.
Reserves: 16. Sean Cronin, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Finlay Bealham, 19. Ultan Dillane, 20.Josh van der Flier, 21. Kieran Marmion, 22. Joey Carbery, 23. Garry Ringrose.
All Blacks
15. Ben Smith, 14. Waisake Naholo, 13. George Moala, 12. Ryan Crotty, 11. Julian Savea, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. Aaron Smith, 8. Kieran Read (c), 7. Sam Cane, 6. Liam Squire, 5. Jerome Kaino, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Dane Coles, 1. Joe Moody.
Reserves: 16. Codie Taylor, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Charlie Faumuina, 19. Scott Barrett, 20. Ardie Savea, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Aaron Cruden, 23. Malakai Fekitoa.
Sat 5 Nov, 3PM (US time) at Soldier Field, Chicago
Ireland v All Blacks 2013
