Here’s every thing you have to know concerning the July 2 match between Ireland and New Zealand.
Watch Live
Jul 2, 1:05 PM UTC
Where: Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand
The lowdown: It took 111 years and 28 matches earlier than Ireland beat New Zealand for the primary time in November 2016. It occurred at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Now, the Irish have crushed the All Blacks three of the previous 5 instances they’ve performed. It’s a kind of run few have gone on in a stretch of matches in opposition to New Zealand, however coach Andy Farrell’s Ireland has been white-hot, incomes the Triple Crown on the Six Nations earlier this yr, whereas solely having been defeated as soon as (by France within the Six Nations) since final July.
Guess it is about time Ireland fittingly exams its luck then.
The staff will go to New Zealand subsequent month for the primary time since 2012 as a part of a three-match tour, having by no means received a match in its historical past in opposition to the All Blacks in New Zealand, but additionally having probably by no means had this a lot confidence in opposition to the All Blacks in its historical past.
Then once more, that is New Zealand the Irish are enjoying, in spite of everything, even when the All Blacks uncharacteristically struggled to shut out 2021 with three defeats in six.
There’s strain on All Blacks coach Ian Foster to carry out with the 2023 Rugby World Cup lower than 18 months away, particularly contemplating that New Zealand does not deal with non-dominance effectively. A robust efficiency in Auckland would positively assist shake off among the rust.