Ireland playing the All Blacks has become one of Rugby Union's great rivalries over the past seven years, with Ireland having won five of the last eight meetings between the sides. Prior to Chicago in 2016, Ireland's record against the All Blacks was well documented. Over 111 years, Ireland played the Kiwis 28 times with 1 draw and 27 losses. Since that famous day at Soldier Field the two teams have produced some of the best test matches in living memory.
18 test match wins in a row?
The All Blacks and Ireland face off in a World Cup quarter final for the second tournament running. Since the 46-14 hammering at the 2019 Japan World Cup, Ireland have won three out of four games v the All Blacks. Since Ireland lost the first test in New Zealand they have won 17 test matches in a row and have earned the title of number 1 ranked side in the world.
There has only been two tier 1 teams in history that have won 18 matches in a row, England were the most recent side to achieve this. Ireland ended their streak as they denied the red rose a grand slam with a 13-9 win at the Aviva Stadium in 2017.
The All Blacks are the other team to have achieved 18 test match wins in a row. After winning the 2015 Rugby World Cup they carried their streak in to 2016 where they were defeated by Ireland at Soldier Field, 40-29.
☘️ Ireland 40-29 New Zealand 🇳🇿#OnThisDay in 2016, @IrishRugby ended their 111-year wait for a victory over New Zealand 👏
More than 62,000 fans were in Chicago as Ireland recorded their first ever win over the All Blacks at the 29th attempt.pic.twitter.com/yIWUG0DxkL— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 5, 2022
Ireland's shifting of the power dynamic
It shows the rare form Ireland are in. They are a team in a place were few have gone before. The gravity of Ireland's position in world rugby has been further illustrated by the bookies of New Zealand. In 1996, TAB NZ began taking betting odds on Rugby Union. Since then the All Blacks have played 359 games and been favourites according to TAB NZ for 355 of those. The only 4 games in which they have not been listed as favourites have been away games against South Africa. Ireland's run of form means for the first time the Kiwi bookies have New Zealand as under dogs in a World Cup game. Ireland were originally listed by TAB as one and a half point favourites for this week's match.
The @AllBlacks have been underdogs in only 4 of their 359 games since the #NZTAB first offered sports betting odds in 1996 – all of them away to the Springboks in South Africa - and they lost all 4 times. They are NZTAB underdogs v Ireland for #RWC2023 q/f in Paris.
— Mark Keohane (@mark_keohane) October 9, 2023
This is unfamiliar ground for Ireland and their fans. The favourites tag doesn't sit well with some Irish people, we are underdogs by trade. However, this team is now in a place where they should fear no opposition. They have earned their favourites tag and have no illusions that with it, every test match is tougher than the last.
The All Blacks "aura and invincibility"
Andy Farrell was posed this question by a Kiwi journalist in a press conference on Wednesday;
Andy, us All Blacks fans have always believed that our teams have had an aura about them, a near invincibility about them due to the results and success over about 100 years. With your recent track record do either of you guys believe that? Is it a myth? Is it something you think about now or is it that with the results, 4 wins in 6 matches, you feel that you've busted that?
Farrell responded as we have come to expect from the Ireland head coach;
I don't think we think too much about it, it's just about the here and now. The past is irrelevant to us this week, we are just trying to get better as a team and so are they, as we look to roll on in the competition. I suppose what id hope is that the forefront of both teams minds is the mutual respect of where both teams are sitting right now but at the same time the competition is where it should be for a quarter final.
Ireland's aura?
With this Ireland team, Farrell has created an aura around them. Former All Black, Justin Marshall, said this week, "Ireland are the one team I didn't want to see the All Blacks play this early in the tournament." The results speak for themselves and their constant expression of the desire to improve every day is a hall mark of the great sides. New Zealand developed a storied tradition with the All Blacks. They became almost mystical in the eyes of the opposition but what Ireland bring on Saturday is real. Their victory in New Zealand last summer smashed the All Blacks aura in the eyes of Irish fans. What Farrell, Sexton and the whole Irish set up do so well is reduce the game to what it is, fifteen against fifteen for 80 minutes. They impose their game plan and everything else is outside noise.
The final illusion they must shatter is one that has dogged Irish rugby for 36 years, the inability to win a Rugby World Cup quarter final. This Irish team are in the business of breaking new ground. With Ireland's winning streak and quarter final aligning it feels as though this weekend is what it has all been about for Andy Farrell's men.
