Ireland will face New Zealand, this Saturday November fifth. The match actually takes place in Chicago, Illinois, USA, at Soldier Field Stadium.
The match starts at 3pm local time, which is 8pm Irish time, and around 9am, Sunday sixth, in New Zealand.
It’s only the second time that this fixture has been played in a neutral venue. The last was in South Africa during the pool stages of the 1995 World Cup.
It will be a very tough game for Ireland. The All Blacks are on a absolute roll at the moment, having won their last 18 consecutive Tests, a record for a top tier nation! Included in those victories are winning the Rugby World Cup and the Rugby Championship.
New Zealand won the 2015 World Cup, becoming the first team to successfully defend the Cup, having won it in 2011. They went through the tournament undefeated, along the way inflicting a 62-13 drubbing against France. It was the biggest defeat suffered during the knock-out stages of the World cup.
New Zealand also went through the Rugby Championship undefeated, achieving home-and-away victories against South Africa, Australia and Argentina.
In all each match, New Zealand scored at least four tries. They also beat South Africa, 57-13. This was the largest score achieved in tests between the two countries and also the biggest defeat ever conceded by South Africa.
Since the World Cup, New Zealand have had to deal with the loss of two icons, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter. The loss of such legendary players would affect any team but the All Blacks seem to be coping just fine.
Ireland have picked the strongest team available to them, barring injury concerns. The three main players left out are Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien and Tommy Bowe. The three are in action for their respective provinces this weekend in the Guinness Pro12 tournament.
Rob Kearney returns at full back, with Zebo and Trimble on the wings. A perfect mixture of pace and power. Payne, who played very well against South Africa on the recent tour, as full back, partners Henshaw in the centre.
Sexton returns from injury at fly-half, with Murray at No.9. Sexton will have a very tough time against New Zealand golden boy, Beauden Barrett.
Best captains at hooker, with McGrath and Furlong outside him. Ryan and Toner forge a formidable second row pairing, with Stander, Murphy and Heaslip powering up behind them in the back row.
The bench contains a few new faces, with Leinster’s Carbery and Ringrose looking for their first cap. Carbery takes Paddy Jackson’s place on the bench. Jackson is currently under investigation by Northern Ireland police for allegdged sex offences, offences which Jackson has ‘rejected completely’.
It’s quite an elevation for Carbery. The young out-half (who this week celebrated his 21st birthday), was actually born in New Zealand, was playing for amateur club Clontarf only a season ago, and has played less than ten games for Leinster. It will be quite a baptism of fire.
Ireland have faced New Zealand 28 times, since the first game in 1905. Of the 28 Test, Ireland have lost 27, with one draw, coming in 1973. 111 years without a victory. A good omen for an Irish win may be that the Chicago Cubs baseball team finally won the World Series, after a wait of 108 years!
Ireland actually came very close to beating the All Blacks in the last Test between the two countries, in 2013, in Dublin. Ireland were beating New Zealand for the full 80 minutes but the All Blacks managed to score the winning try in injury time, breaking Irish hearts.
The venue is a neutral one but it looks like the majority of support will be for Ireland, given the large Irish connection with America. The two countries will have a return game, in Dublin on November 19th.
There is an added incentive for the Irish players to beat the All Blacks, as the British and Irish Lions are due to tour New Zealand at the end of this season, in 2017. A win against the All Blacks would do their selection chances a wold of good.
Most betting odds give Ireland a 10-1 chance of beating New Zealand. Dan Carter recently commented that an Ireland victory would be a ‘miracle’! Ireland will hope that the New Zealand players will be fatigued after coming to the end of their season.
It would be great to see an Ireland win, finally, but the portents don’t look good.
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
Replacements: 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
ScottD
Roar Guru
Well I got that wrong. :) Great game by Ireland. Showed no mercy and stood tall at the end.
zubrick
Guest
all credit to the irishmen...AB's couldnt handle the pressure without their 2 star locks amazing really take two players out and they fall apart heh heh most of the rugby world applauding the men from ireland rightly so..history was made last night italy's turn to stand up next week...id love to see that...unfortunately weve all seen how the blacks react to a beating go azzurri go....the paddies have softened them up for you lot
DECLAN MURPHY
Roar Guru
Ireland have beaten the All Blacks, 40-29! YESSS
ScottD
Roar Guru
Agreed Vill, they left at the right time.
ScottD
Roar Guru
I am really looking forward to this game. I love watching the Irish play. They have half a chance but not very likely I wouldn't have thought.
Villageb0y
Guest
Richie and Dan Carter slowed the ABs down, neither of them would be able to foot it in this team of All Blacks. I would even go as far to say that this current team of All Blacks would put 20 - 30 points on the team that won the World Cup.
David
Guest
Ireland are well coached, but Schmidt is too biased to his safe favourites and, more often than not, Leinster players. I'm no expert on Irish rugby but Kearney's been useless for the last 12 months, Payne's their best fullback by miles. This would allow room for Ringrose to come into midfield. Donnacha Ryan's another example of him playing it safe, selecting him instead of Ultan Dillane. He's unwilling to try younger (less experienced) players even when they're playing better- Ryan's not a bad player by any means, but Dillane should get a go, even if it's just to see if he's ready. Also, Schmidt seems to ignore the Ulster midfielders in favour of Leinster or Munster ones. Ulster pick Payne at fullback, but he selects him at 13 so there's room for Kearney. Jackson's not available for today's match, but imo he's been in better form than Sexton this year, but he's never get a look in ahead of a fit Sexton. Then the Ulster centres- McCluskey, Marshall, some others, don't get much of a look in even when they've been in scintillating form for Ulster. Schmidt is a good coach. But he's unwilling to try new things and if he's not careful that'll be the end of him with Ireland.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
The narrower ground will also make it a bit easier to cover the wide channels but one would expect that the pressure will eventually unlock the Irish defence. It will be interesting to see the lineout strategy from the AB's with the loss of the top three locks for this game. Chook good luck for the game against Wales ... I'll be there with you!
woodart
Guest
yes Im looking forward to seeing big george cut loose in the midfeild, think he will be a handful for the irish.
Lara
Guest
The only weakness , I can see in the ABs team is the lineout. If, Read can not be contained in this department, Ireland will be mauled in the loose , with such a mobile pack ,this team will create so much ball for the backs , that with Moala and the back three all hell will be unleashed . Ireland , slow the game down and play set piece after set piece and don't lose the ball and make sure you kick the ball out.
Scrumma
Guest
If it's Ireland first game since the June tests then it could be a difficult task. There is so much enthusiasm in this Allblacks squad to protect the legacy they have created is very scary. Both teams have 80 minutes to strut their stuff.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Looking forward to watching Jared Payne play. Past Taniwha skipper doing the business.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
With Cruden to knock over the conversion on the 2nd attempt.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Bobs sure he should put the house on it!
lewismarsh
Roar Rookie
Do not let this opportunity slip, go and put a $10 investment on it.
lewismarsh
Roar Rookie
Dagg certainly does not have the penetration of Naholo but his ability to keep the defense guessing right up untill contact is better than ever. I would have him over Naholo if I had to choose one
DCNZ
Guest
Cruden to pass to Coles to offload to Crotty in the corner for a last gasp extra time try.
DCNZ
Guest
hey bro you have to pay eight NZ bucks for it on AB.com: http://www.allblacks.com/News/30047/live-stream-information-for-chicago-rugby-weekend dcnz
Tinfoil Hat
Guest
Don't feed the troll.
teinu
Guest
You know baby Aotearoa got love for all comers put your best rugby toe forward and if we lose we shall give you a big kiss on the nose called a hongi all power cause you might need to invoke your own gods on that night of nights!