Ireland ‘set the standard’ for how to play - All Blacks ready for ‘tough’ Chicago clash in their Autumn International fixture
Published 29/10/2025 at 11:11 GMT
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New Zealand and Ireland will face each other in Chicago once again, as they did in 2016. Then, Ireland famously got the better of the All Blacks for the very first time in their history as they ran out comprehensive 40-29 winners. New Zealand hooker Codie Taylor is taking nothing for granted this time around, as the All Blacks prepare to take on their old rivals.
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Ireland against the All Blacks is one of the most hotly anticipated matches this year, even more so for the fact that it is being played this Saturday in Chicago.
The last time those two nations met in Chicago back in 2016, Ireland got the better of New Zealand for the first time in their Test history, running out famous 40-29 winners against the then world champions.
This weekend’s match is once again at Soldier Field, and will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Coming into this match is a very different All Blacks side than the one from 2016. Gone is the World Cup crown - that currently resides with South Africa.
New Zealand also lost twice in the recent Rugby Championship, to South Africa on home soil and to Argentina away. They are a side in rebuilding mode, coming up against an Irish team in full flight.
Hooker Codie Taylor was part of that 2016 unit, and is a veteran of 103 Test caps. He was quick to reflect on what went wrong in 2016.
"We probably turned up, got caught up in the lights of the city and went down to an Irish team that was determined to beat us for the first time," he explains on Allblacks.com.
"We reflected on that and this week we've had the opportunity to get out and see some things in Chicago and now Test week has rolled around and there is a sense of intensity with the preparation, even for a Monday."
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Ireland did not tour the Southern Hemisphere this summer, with so many of their International players on Lions duty. Instead, they played some lower ranked European sides, sending some younger players to gain experience.
As such, there is little recent form to go on when judging how they might fare this autumn - bar the fact that so many of their stars excelled for the Lions.
But Taylor is certainly not underestimating his opponents, adding: "They're a world class outfit, and they're a team that backs themselves.
"They set the standard for how to play a good brand of rugby, the way they structure their attack and defence. They set a new standard there for a wee while, and they're still doing that.
"We've got the utmost respect for the way they can play. We've won the last couple, but every Test match is tough against them.
"To see that it's five [wins] apiece over the last many years shows the rivalry's there, and they're a good side."
Kick off on Saturday is at 8.10pm UK time, and the match is live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
How to watch Ireland v New Zealand
Ireland v New Zealand will be live on TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports Ultimate and discovery+ from 7.45pm.
TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.
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For the latest information on which rugby matches are on TNT Sports, click here.
Here is the TNT Sports schedule and TV guide.
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Stream the Quilter Nations Series, Gallagher Premiership and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
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