All Blacks-Ireland rivalry peaked in 2023, it's over now

Since the infamous breakthrough win in Chicago in 2016 for Ireland over the All Blacks, an explosive new rivalry was built between a historic power and new age challenger.

New Zealand refused to accept that the plucky Irish were equals, but the string of counterpunch victories undeniably defied those beliefs. The two engaged in a tit-for-tat ledger, with Ireland logging wins in 2018, 2021, and the famous series win in New Zealand in 2022.

Throughout this time Ireland had reached the world number one ranking, challenging New Zealand’s long-standing supremacy in the game.

But since the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final, this shortly lived great rivalry has retreated.

The gut-wrenching 28-24 end to Johnny Sexton’s career and end to Ireland’s semi-final dream in 2023 now looks like the peak between these two nations.

Ireland have not been able to deliver the counter-blow to avenge that defeat, instead falling on their sword twice, while losing standing to both France and South Africa.

They’ve lost the last two Six Nations titles to France, while the 2024 home loss to the All Blacks in Dublin sunk the mood surrounding this Ireland team like a lead balloon.

Caelan Doris’ side came into the 2024 fixture full of confidence that they’d keep a home winning streak alive and keep the train rolling. They were the number one ranked side after coming away with a miraculous 1-1 series draw against the Springboks in July and a Six Nations title in March.

That night a Damian McKenzie-inspired performance rolled Ireland in their own backyard for a 23-13 win. They haven’t recovered since.

The 2025 fixture in Chicago was even more alarming. The final 26-13 scoreline flatters Ireland after the All Blacks ran rampant in the final 15 minutes. A couple of tries were called back, sparing Ireland the humiliation of 40 points.

Despite Scott Robertson not satsifying his bosses demands, he had Ireland’s number. If that was an All Blacks team that was not performing, how many points will they put on Ireland when they are?

Ireland have been dealing with instability throughout this cycle due to Andy Farrell’s sabbatical with the British & Irish Lions.

As a result they’ve flip-flopped around at flyhalf, unable to decide who is running the show between Sam Prendergast, Jack Crowley or Ciaran Frawley. Given that Ireland’s attacking system is heavily reliant on the flyhalf, this has proved costly. They may convince themselves they are building depth but really they are hamstringing themselves.

A number of their veterans are getting long in the tooth like Tadhg Furlong and Bundee Aki. The inevitable turnover is due and perhaps Ireland is clinging to experience too long. Even the new players like Stuart McCloskey are old, at 33 years of age.

This Ireland team, who are full of players 30 years old and over, no doubt will meet a younger, athletic All Blacks side at Eden Park.

Cam Roigard and Ruben Love are 25. Wallace Sititi and Peter Lakai are 23. Sam Darry and Josh Lord are 25. Even experienced players like Will Jordan and Jordie Barrett are 28 and 29 respectively.

The dad’s army of midfielders Garry Ringrose (31), Robbie Henshaw (33) and McCloskey (33) will meet Jordie Barrett (29) and Billy Proctor 27 or Quinn Tupaea 27.

Across the board the All Blacks will be much younger, more fitter and perhaps hungrier.

Under Dave Rennie the new-look All Blacks are playing with a mentality to run teams off the park. Hammer them with speed and tempo until they can’t handle it anymore. They kicked just six times in the first half against France and just four times against Italy over the first 40.

Rennie’s were criticised for a lack of accuracy in the first half but eventually the defensive load took it’s toll and Italy cracked. The plan worked.

Ireland themselves have not been impressive. Against Australia with their first team they escaped the jaws of defeat in Sydney after some luck. Down by 24-12 they crucially scored right on half-time with a dubious forward pass. They were spared after Ben Donaldson’s late penalty goal sailed way wide.

Against Japan with a rotated line-up they battled away without being able to escape the Brave Blossoms. It was a sleep-inducing march to the finish line in Newcastle.

Ireland are walking into the Lions’ den with poor form and an old team. The rest of the world is still doubting the All Blacks, writing off the win against Italy as a ‘weak’ opponent. The Italians beat England and Ireland just scrapped past them by 20-13 in Dublin.

After Saturday the world will wake up to this All Blacks team. Ireland will take an absolute licking and head home with serious questions to answer.

The last time Ireland came to Eden Park, they were blown away 42-19 after a first half injury to Johnny Sexton derailed the team.

This time will be no different.