International Test Preview: New Zealand Vs. Ireland
International Test Preview: New Zealand Vs. Ireland
Ireland will visit New Zealand next month for the first time since 2012 as part of a three-match tour, having never beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand.
Here's everything you need to know about the July 2 match between Ireland and New Zealand.
Where: Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand
The lowdown: It took 111 years and 28 matches before Ireland beat New Zealand for the first time in November 2016. It happened at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Now, the Irish have beaten the All Blacks three of the past five times they've played. It's a type of run few have gone on in a stretch of matches against New Zealand, but coach Andy Farrell's Ireland has been white-hot, earning the Triple Crown at the Six Nations earlier this year, while only having been defeated once (by France in the Six Nations) since last July.
Guess it's about time Ireland fittingly tests its luck then.
The team will visit New Zealand next month for the first time since 2012 as part of a three-match tour, having never won a match in its history against the All Blacks in New Zealand, but also having likely never had this much confidence against the All Blacks in its history.
Then again, this is New Zealand the Irish are playing, after all, even if the All Blacks uncharacteristically struggled to close out 2021 with three defeats in six.
There's pressure on All Blacks coach Ian Foster to perform with the 2023 Rugby World Cup less than 18 months away, especially considering that New Zealand doesn't handle non-dominance well. A strong performance in Auckland would definitely help shake off some of the rust.
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