Gordon D’Arcy has his say in his column this week, remembering playing the All Blacks in his day.
“In November 2005, Ireland played New Zealand in the old Lansdowne Road. It was my first time playing the All Blacks, so I was a ball of nerves and excitement.
“My opposite number on that day, Ma’a Nonu, would also bookend my career, opposing me in my last outing, a narrow loss to the Kiwis in the Aviva Stadium in 2013.”
The Caelan Doris era begins in earnest against All Blacks at the Aviva, writes Gerry Thornley, as the captain’s leadership will be based foremost on his own deeds. “Probably actions first,” Doris said, when asked about his leadership style, adding: “I think I’ve a good relationship with all of the individuals within the group.”
But he comes up against an almighty opponent tonight in Ardie Savea. Who will come out on top? John O’Sullivan examines the question:
[ Caelan Doris v Ardie Savea: Who will come out on top at the Aviva?Opens in new window ]
Rugby’s ‘favourite grudge match’ was not always this way, writes Gerry Thornley about the Ireland-All Blacks rivalry.
It seems fitting that the latest instalment between Ireland and New Zealand has a night all to itself next Friday. Even on the official Six Nations website they are moved to ask if this is rugby’s favourite grudge match. If so, it wasn’t always thus. It was not much of a rivalry, never mind one tinged with any kind of grudge.
How could it be when one side never won in 28 attempts going back over 111 years?
Overall head-to-head: Played 37, Ireland 5 wins, 1 drawn, New Zealand 31 wins.
Last five meetings — 2023: New Zealand 28 Ireland 24 (Paris, RWC q/f); 2022: New Zealand 22 Ireland 32 (Wellington); 2022: New Zealand 12 Ireland 23 (Dunedin); 2022: New Zealand 42 Ireland 19 (Auckland); 2021: Ireland 29 New Zealand 20 (Dublin).
Betting: 2-5 Ireland, 19-1 Draw, 2-1 New Zealand. Handicap odds (New Zealand +6 pts): 10-11 Ireland, 20-1 draw, 10-11 New Zealand.
Nathan Johns looks behind the numbers at five areas where Ireland can target the All Blacks tonight in his stats piece. Ireland discovered to their cost in the World Cup quarter-final that small margins can make all the difference when it comes to prevailing over New Zealand. Check them out here:
[ Behind the numbers: Five areas where Ireland can target the All BlacksOpens in new window ]
Fresh off the presses, here is Gerry Thornley’s Counter Ruck newsletter, where he tries to analyse what went wrong for Ireland last time they played the All Blacks and focuses on the set-piece. A big night for James Ryan is needed at the Aviva:
[ Gerry Thornley: Set-piece will be crucial if Ireland are to beat All BlacksOpens in new window ]
If you’re on the way home from work, or even better, on the way to the pub or a pal’s house to watch it, check out the last Counter Ruck podcasts on the New Zealand game including some great anecdotes from Gordon D’Arcy:
Are New Zealand underdogs against Ireland?
When did the All Blacks lose their aura?
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Ireland’s match against New Zealand, the first of Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series games. Ireland last met the All Blacks in the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final, suffering a 28-24 defeat, so there is a chance for revenge here, even if it’s not the level of the World Cup. Test matches against the All Blacks have been rip-roaring affairs in recent years as the rivalry has intensified, and new captain Caelan Doris leads out Ireland for the toughest of four Test games against southern hemisphere opposition. Kick-off from the Aviva Stadium is at 8.10pm. Here are the teams and the officials for tonight’s game:
IRELAND: Hugo Keenan (Leinster); Mack Hansen (Connacht), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Bundee Aki (Connacht), James Lowe (Leinster); Jack Crowley (Munster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Andrew Porter (Leinster), Rónan Kelleher (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht); Joe McCarthy (Leinster), James Ryan (Leinster); Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster, capt).
Replacements: Rob Herring (Ulster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Tom O’Toole (Ulster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Conor Murray (Munster), Ciarán Frawley (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster).
NEW ZEALAND: Will Jordan (Crusaders); Mark Tele’a (Blues), Rieko Ioane (Blues), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Caleb Clarke (Blues); Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), Cortez Ratima (Chiefs); Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders), Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes), Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes), Scott Barrett (Crusaders, capt), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs), Wallace Sititi (Chiefs), Sam Cane (Chiefs), Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika).
Replacements: George Bell (Crusaders), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Blues), Pasilio Tosi (Hurricanes), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), Samipeni Finau (Chiefs), Cam Roigard (Hurricanes), Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), Stephen Perofeta (Blues).
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia).
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Andrea Piardi (Italy).
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia).
