On November 1, 2025, Ireland will again face off against New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago, where they made history nine years earlier. On November 5, 2016, Ireland stunned the rugby world by defeating the All Blacks for the first time. This match marked a significant turning point in their rivalry, which had seen New Zealand dominate in their previous 28 encounters since 1905.
Historic Meetings Between Ireland and New Zealand
Before the landmark victory in 2016, Ireland had only managed to secure one draw and suffered 27 losses against the All Blacks. Their most heartbreaking near-miss came in November 2013 at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, where they led the match into the final moments only to lose 24-22.
In Chicago, Ireland overcame an early try from George Moala. They then took control of the match, leading 25-8 at half-time thanks to tries from Jordi Murphy, CJ Stander, and Conor Murray. Despite a New Zealand fightback that brought the score to 33-29, Robbie Henshaw’s late try secured a 40-29 victory for Ireland, capturing the hearts of rugby fans everywhere.
Subsequent Victories and Achievements
This victory set the stage for more historical wins. Ireland first defeated New Zealand on home soil in 2018, winning 16-9. Under coach Andy Farrell, they achieved another victory in November 2021, triumphing 29-20 in Dublin.
In a remarkable series during the summer of 2022, Ireland became just the fourth team to win a three-Test series against New Zealand, with a stunning 32-22 victory in Wellington following their first win on Kiwi soil in Dunedin.
Recent Developments and Challenges
Despite earlier successes, Ireland’s form has wavered since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where they faced a crushing defeat in the quarter-finals to New Zealand, losing 28-24. The aftermath of this loss has been challenging, with inconsistent performances in subsequent tournaments. They won the 2024 Six Nations without a Grand Slam but struggled against New Zealand in November 2024, losing 23-13.
As Ireland prepares for their rematch in Chicago, they must overcome recent struggles. Their key players have shown inconsistencies, and the team lacks the momentum to confront the powerful All Blacks, who have faced their own issues but remain a formidable opponent.
The All Blacks: Recent Performance
Under coach Scott Robertson, New Zealand has had a mixed bag of results, winning 14 out of 20 matches but failing to secure the Rugby Championship titles in 2024 and 2025. Their depth of talent remains intimidating, with star players like Ardie Savea and the Barrett brothers ready to take on Ireland.
As the date nears, all eyes will be on Soldier Field for this highly anticipated encounter. Ireland will aim to regain their past glory against a New Zealand team looking to assert their dominance once more.
