🇳🇿 All Blacks Get Chicago Redemption, Punishing Ireland in Scrappy 26-13 Win
CHICAGO, USA – The All Blacks secured a hard-fought, yet ultimately emphatic, 26-13 victory over Ireland today at Soldier Field in Chicago, gaining a measure of revenge for their historic 2016 loss at the same venue. In a Test match defined by high drama, controversy, and a powerful final-quarter surge, New Zealand overcame early injuries to seal the win and successfully launch their end-of-year tour.
The day’s narrative was set just moments after kick-off by a pivotal, and controversial, incident.
Red Card Drama and Irish Resilience
The match was barely three minutes old when Irish lock Tadhg Beirne was shown a yellow card, which was subsequently upgraded to a 20-minute red card, for an upright, head-on-head tackle on All Blacks first five-eighth Beauden Barrett. Compounding New Zealand’s early woes, captain Scott Barrett was forced from the field simultaneously with a knee injury, alongside his brother Beauden, who eventually returned.
Despite the early numerical disadvantage, which saw Ireland play with 14 men for a critical 20-minute period, Andy Farrell’s side initially thrived on defiance. Inspired by the tactical kicking of halfback Jamison Gibson-Park and the sheer grunt of their pack, Ireland built a lead. After an early penalty from fly-half Jack Crowley, veteran prop Tadhg Furlong powered over for the game’s opening try in the 16th minute, putting Ireland ahead 10-0 and stunning the All Blacks.
The All Blacks responded quickly, with flanker Ardie Savea, thrust into the captaincy role, finishing a beautiful passage of passing play in the corner. The teams went into the break with the scoreboard tight at 10-7 in favour of Ireland.
The Final Quarter Surge
The third quarter saw a tactical battle, characterized by aimless kicking and set-piece sloppiness from both sides. Jack Crowley added a second penalty on the hour mark to extend the Irish lead to 13-7, leaving the All Blacks staring at a second successive loss in Chicago.
However, the final 20 minutes saw the superior fitness and depth of the New Zealand bench decisively shift the momentum. The All Blacks scored three unanswered tries in a devastating period of clinical rugby.
- Tamaiti Williams (61st minute): Replacement prop Williams crashed over from close range, giving New Zealand their first lead of the day at 14-13. The try stemmed from a period of sustained pressure, highlighting the immediate impact of the New Zealand reinforcements.
- Wallace Sititi (66th minute): The moment of the match arrived five minutes later. After a searing break from Caleb Clarke and smart link-up play involving Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett, flanker Wallace Sititi streaked away to score a crucial try, stretching the lead to 21-13. Sititi, who was outstanding throughout and eventually crowned Man of the Match, was relentless at the breakdown and highly impactful on attack.
- Cam Roigard (76th minute): Halfback Cam Roigard capped the win with a classy try from an attacking scrum, a score that was fitting given the late scrum dominance the All Blacks established.
The late collapse was a bitter pill for Ireland. Hooker Dan Sheehan later admitted the team never fully “got going,” citing “inaccuracies, breakdown, line-out and discipline” as major issues.
The victory, with a final score of 26-13, extends the All Blacks’ winning streak over Ireland and puts a positive start on their quest for a Grand Slam of the Northern Hemisphere.
Final Score: Ireland 13 – 26 New Zealand
All Blacks Tries: Savea, Williams, Sititi, Roigard
Ireland Tries: Furlong
