All Blacks greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

For New Zealand rugby, the All Blacks-Ireland rivalry has grown to be the best of the past ten years and is perhaps the highlight of the international sport. No team has irritated New Zealand more than Ireland, with a win-loss record that is tit-for-tat and on-field player arguments that leak into the media adding fuel to the fire.

Many New Zealanders hold onto the antiquated belief that they are just like Wales and Scotland, European doormats who are there to be trampled underfoot by the black machine, and are unable to acknowledge or give credit to Ireland’s brilliance.

The rivalry between the All Blacks (New Zealand) and Ireland in rugby is one of the most intense and fascinating in the sport. Each encounter between these teams is eagerly anticipated by fans worldwide due to the combination of the All Blacks’ legendary skill and Ireland’s rising dominance. Here’s a closer look at their matchups and what makes this rivalry so thrilling:

Historical Background

• All Blacks’ Dominance: The All Blacks are known for their long-standing dominance in rugby, having consistently been one of the best teams in the world. Known for their iconic haka, the team has a formidable reputation and has won the Rugby World Cup multiple times.
• Ireland’s Rise: While Ireland struggled against the All Blacks for many years, they have steadily improved, especially since the early 2010s. Their tactical discipline, physicality, and cohesion have allowed them to challenge even the best teams. This surge has led to historic victories over the All Blacks in recent years.

Key Matches

• Chicago 2016: Ireland made history with their first-ever win against the All Blacks, beating them 40-29 at Soldier Field in Chicago. This game was a turning point, breaking a long streak of losses and demonstrating Ireland’s ability to compete with the best.
• 2018 in Dublin: Ireland defeated the All Blacks 16-9 in Dublin, a landmark victory that underscored their strength on the world stage. This win cemented their place among the rugby elite.
• Rugby World Cup 2023: Ireland and New Zealand faced off in the quarterfinals in a thrilling match. The All Blacks emerged victorious with a close 28-24 win, ending Ireland’s World Cup campaign and showcasing the high stakes and intensity of their rivalry.

Playing Style and Key Players

• All Blacks: Known for their fluid, attacking style of play, the All Blacks rely on speed, skill, and precise execution. Players like Beauden Barrett, Ardie Savea, and Richie Mo’unga have been pivotal in maintaining the team’s world-class standards.
• Ireland: Ireland’s style emphasizes structure, tactical kicking, and a strong defensive line. Key players like Johnny Sexton, Josh van der Flier, and Tadhg Furlong have been essential in executing the team’s strategy and keeping them competitive.

Why the Rivalry Matters

The All Blacks and Ireland represent different rugby cultures: the All Blacks with their tradition of excellence and New Zealand’s deep rugby heritage, and Ireland with a gritty determination to overcome their historical challenges. Their clashes reflect a contrast in styles, with New Zealand’s fluid game often meeting Ireland’s disciplined approach, making each game a strategic and physical showdown. News for The Daily Rugby

As Ireland continues to close the gap, each All Blacks vs. Ireland game is more competitive, unpredictable, and celebrated by rugby fans worldwide. The rivalry not only showcases top-tier rugby but also brings out the very best in both teams, creating unforgettable moments and pushing the boundaries of the sport.

They simply dislike falling short against the Irish. The payback test in Dublin that year was meant to demonstrate that the one-time victory in Chicago in 2016 was an exception.

With many of the tackles from that night igniting a crackdown, the aftermath of the 2016 revenge match also marked a sea change in the direction of the game as a whole. Card punishments raised and legal tackle heights decreased.

Sam Cane’s brutal hit on Henshaw back in the 2016 Test established the precedent, even though his World Cup final tackle on Jesse Kriel would have hardly been noted in 2016.

In 2018, Ireland made history by defeating the All Blacks for the second time. This time, Steve Hansen’s best team was dispatched to Europe ahead of schedule to be ready for the match.

After New Zealand went tryless, Jacob Stockdale’s iconic try served as the impetus for a 16-9 triumph. Both the media and New Zealand supporters couldn’t find a good reason. The All Blacks were facing a serious challenge. Shame on you for fooling me once. Shame on me for being a fool twice.

Back-to-back After winning the World Cup in 2015, Beauden Barrett, who was named World Player of the Year, was aiming for three consecutive titles in 2018. The balance was tilted by the year-end tour, and Johnny Sexton won the prize ahead of Barrett.

Ireland’s disintegration in 2019 made an All Black triumph seem inevitable when the two teams faced off in the World Cup quarterfinal. In a delicious retaliation, they beat Ireland 46–14. However, Ireland quickly shown that they no longer cared about the All Black “Aura.”

They suffered another defeat, 29–20, when Ian Foster’s team showed up in 2021. New Zealand supporters will never forget the iconic picture of former All Black winger James Lowe yelling over the top of an All Black ruck after gaining a holding-on penalty.

There was another answer from the opposing side. After winning the inaugural Test match at Eden Park in 2022 42-19, the All Blacks were elated. After Johnny Sexton’s forced withdrawal, the visitors were dominated by three tries in ten minutes.

They may have believed that they would conclude the series and send Ireland on their way. However, when Ireland recovered to send the All Blacks into a spiral, Ian Foster’s most tumultuous period was about to begin.

In the Dunedin test, the host team was derailed by substitution blunders and many cards, including a red to reserve prop Angus Ta’avao. With Sexton back on the ground, Ireland appeared to be the superior team and had once again scored the first try within five minutes.

It was evident from the full-time celebrations. After defeating the All Blacks, several teams act as though they have won the World Cup. Argentina has been destroyed a week later on several occasions in previous years.

The victory was hardly acknowledged by the Irish players, who lifted their arms in a controlled reaction, realising that they were only halfway done. The water smelt of blood.

The All Blacks lost a historic series at home after being completely humiliated in the third and final Test. Foster’s career was at risk, and two assistant coaches were fired as a result of the tumultuous consequences.

The All Blacks had a lot of bottled up emotion after the humiliation and anguish of the series loss. They withdrew inside themselves, angry by criticism and bitter towards the media. A large chip was left on the shoulder.

But it also spurred positive transformation throughout the disaster. As an assistant coach, Joe Schmidt assumed a key position. The All Blacks began to resemble a well-oiled machine after tidying up their patterns and forms. They went seven straight games without losing at the end of 2022. The All Blacks began 2023 with a resounding Rugby Championship victory, extending their run to eleven games.

 

source https://thedailyrugby.com/all-blacks-greatest-rugby-adversary-is-now-ireland/