Recap: All Blacks v Ireland in Chicago
Sunday, 2 November 2025
The All Blacks kick off their bid for a Grand Slam against Ireland in Chicago on Sunday morning (NZT).
The fixture at Soldier Field kicks off at 9am (NZT) and will be broadcast live on Sky Sport. Stuff will have live updates from 8.30am.
It’s a rematch of Ireland’s historic win against the All Blacks in the Windy City in 2016.
It’s being hailed as ‘The Rematch’.
But, nine years after Ireland made history against the Steve Hansen-coached All Blacks, it’s a heck of a lot more than that for the men in black.
It’s the start of their quest for a Grand Slam. Get it wrong in Chicago again and it will be over before they know it.
Not since 2010 have the All Blacks secured a Grand Slam, and head coach Scott Robertson has locked in on achieving the feat to conclude a year which would be underwhelming without it.
After all, for the second time in as many years, he failed to win the Rugby Championship and the Freedom Cup.
A bumpy northern tour will not go down well.
On the other hand, after a scratchy July series against France, and a record pasting at the hands of the Springboks, finishing the year with a Grand Slam and a 13-2 record will be a pass mark in year two of Robertson’s tenure.
TEAMS
All Blacks: Will Jordan, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Cam Roigard, Peter Lakai, Ardie Savea, Simon Parker, Fabian Holland, Scott Barrett (c), Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Damian McKenzie.
Ireland: Jamie Osborne, Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe, Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Ryan Baird, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheenan, Andrew Porter. Reserves: Ronan Kelleher, Paddy McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson, Caelan Doris, Craig Casey, Sam Prendergast, Bundee Aki.
WHAT THEY SAID
All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor on what happened in 2016: “I just think we probably turned up and got caught up in the light of the city and went down to an Irish team that was pretty determined to beat us for the first time.”
Ireland coach Andy Farrell: “This city, it means a little bit more to everyone now because of the game in 2016. Talking about Irish people now, there are plenty of Irish living over here as we’ve seen, there’s thousands coming over in their droves as we speak.”
HISTORY
Played 38: All Blacks 32 wins, Ireland 5 wins
Last 10: All Blacks 5 wins, Ireland 5 wins
TAB ODDS
All Blacks $1.45 Ireland $2.70