Ireland have taken a historic victory, defeating the All Blacks in Chicago for the first time ever after 111 years of waiting.
» 111 years in the making, Ireland beat the All Blacks
» Five talking points from Ireland’s big win
Final score
Ireland 40
New Zealand 29
The Chicago Cubs broke a 108 year World Series baseball drought this week beating the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 of a titanic sporting series. Can Ireland break a similarly long sporting drought and beat the All Blacks for the first time at Soldier Field? Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7am (AEDT).
The All Blacks have won 18 tests in a row and every outing in 2016 by an average of 40 points. However in terms of available cattle they are perhaps at their most vulnerable this week.
A wretched injury toll has forced Jerome Kaino to switch to lock and pair up with Blues teammate Patrick Tuipolutu. Kaino’s shift from No.6 means there is a just a second Test start for Liam Squire while a fit-again Sam Cane has replaced Matt Todd at No.7.
Aaron Smith makes a timely return at half-back, but the backline is reshuffled from the Australian test with George Moala and Waisake Naholo promoted to centre and right wing respectively.
Ireland are playing their first test since losing to South Africa in June. It was a match where Ireland enjoyed double the amount of possession than South Africa, but a failure to translate chances into points was vital. Ireland have shown they are capable of troubling the best, but have been poor in really big moments.
Joe Schmidt has named an experienced and settled line-up with veteran Rob Kearney returning to full-back. That selection means Jared Payne will start from outside centre in a backline that features familiar faces Jonny Sexton, Conor Murray, Simon Zebo and Andrew Trimble. The pack also boasts plenty of experience with captain Rory Best and No.8 Jamie Heaslip leading the charge.
Ireland will be competitive for an hour, but the depth of the All Black bench and the all-round quality across the park will result in a fairly comfortable win. Consider the last two tests, the All Blacks have scored 67 unanswered points in the last 20 minutes after being genuinely extended by Australia and South Africa.
Dreadly
Guest
ha ha. You mean like how england stuffed the Wallabies last time at jolly twickers?
All Black Bob
Guest
Surprised myself how this defeat by the Irish didn’t bother me to much. After seeing what such a celebration it was in Ireland, felt proud the Irish saw it was such a big achievement to beat our All Blacks. And they were so gracious in victory. We got out played and out coached for sure to be sure. I think those that say the domination the AB’s have been enjoying in recent years is bad for the game, this shows that when they are finally beaten it brings a bright spot light onto the game around the rugby world. Bet there wasn’t much soccer on the front sporting pages in Ireland and probably Britain on Sunday morning. The game in Dublin will attract huge interest and a massive audience on TV I reckon.
Rugby Historian
Guest
The All Blacks have never lost since 1900 because they played badly. You will soon hear New Zealand discovered they were deliberately given food poisoning - or may be they were under strength - or maybe the Irish played Irish music while the all Blacks tried to eat breakfast ... New Zealand will definitely find some sinister reason for this loss shortly ???
Ryan
Roar Rookie
It's the facts, abs missed the usual grunt upfront. Don't confuse confidence and arrogance champ and you can't blame some abs for being arrogant as they've been kicking butt for a very long time.
Antoni
Guest
I can feel your pain, old mate.
Rugby Fanatic
Guest
The All Blacks were the nicest team Ireland had to play all year.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Don't think they'll lose again this tour Mike, at least I'll be very surprised, this was more likely a one off. All part of the process.
Lara
Guest
If the comment is correct about Woodward, then it does say a lot about the man himself , poor taste and judgement.
taylorman
Roar Guru
All about class Kirky, some have it, some don't. The team and fans alike are showing up all those coming out of the woodwork for a piece of them only to find they're above all that. Funny how it's all those with a sad tale to tell from the past. If it means that much to em...let em have it. Meanwhile the team will move on as usual. This has been an interesting exercise of human behaviour ?
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Taylor man: By and large the Kiwis have been universal in their praise of the Ireland team, but what gets my goat is that second rate Ex England Coach name of Woodward putting the ungracious crap out there like "the All Blacks believe their own publicity", you'd expect it from a Pom ex Coach anyway who was sent on a mission with 200 staff at his disposal to try and win a World Cup as Jonny Wilkinson did for him by a drop goal. ~ they Knighted him for that drop kick by Jonny, jeezuz! And of course old BOD had to have a dig also didn't he. What is it that makes these Northern Hemisphere dudes carry on like that? ~ the All Blacks never ever blow their own, it's done by bad Journalism, but any loss when it does happen seems to be a win, win, to the English and a few others. Haven't yet seen anything from that good friend of New Zealand rugby one Stephen Jones as yet, or am I reading the wrong News!
Geoff
Guest
You've got nothing to be proud of loser, 4 wins in a row against your sorry bunch Come back when you've grown a spine to actually face the side and win, peasant
Geoff
Guest
you think the actual ABs don't respect their opposition? You actually are a clown.
Geoff
Guest
if he's happy with his record, you're more f.u.c.k.e.d. than we knew
Kirky
Roar Rookie
The Wallabies ''smash'' the Irish, ~ Can't see it at all mate, ~ but who are you to say the Irish can't play like that week in and week out, tell us all as to how you know that ph1 Lstar? tell us all on here and I may have to change my bets! Seems as if you know something we don't mate!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Get a life clown!
pim
Guest
Oh Don,Excuses excuses......with the AB's supposed quality & depth surely a few regulars not there should make no difference. As has been said on this blog & elsewhere the AB supporters have become more & more arrogant....maybe this loss will make you a little bit humble again...but unlikely.
Antoni
Guest
Agreed. And I did have a quick look at rugbystuff NZ (or whatever it is called) and there are many Kiwis congratulating the Wallabies. The few impolite comments on hear are not reflective of the dominant Kiwi reaction to the Wallaby win and the AB loss which has been very dignified.
don
Guest
it isn't, look again
stainlesssteve
Guest
What have you got against goldfish, William? i've met goldfish who remember me after extended absences! And why are there only two Goldfish Jokes? Huh?
stainlesssteve
Guest
agree JT, on all points Also wouldn't like to be in Italian boots, next week. The Wallabies made the ABs look human, two weeks ago, and might have tipped the scales if they hadn't dropped their heads when denied a lolly We wouldn't have wanted the ABs to set a record of 100 or 200 test victories in a row, would we? Check (Sir) Clive Woodwards comments?.... "the ABs believe their own publicity" What a twit