Senior All Black Ardie Savea has challenged his forward pack to lift its game for Ireland this weekend in the first Test of his side’s Grand Slam tour – and likely one of the most difficult.
Ireland and the All Blacks are five Tests all in their last 10 after the Irish broke their 100-plus-year drought against New Zealand in Chicago in 2016.
Back to their happy place at Soldier Field, Ireland will be hoping to break the All Blacks’ two-Test winning streak against them on Sunday morning NZT.
New Zealand’s recent dominance began with what, for the Irish, was a devastating World Cup quarter-final defeat in Paris two years ago and continued last November in Dublin when the All Blacks broke the home side’s 19-game winning streak at Aviva Stadium.
But, coached by the astute and tough Andy Farrell – who led the British and Irish Lions to a series victory over Australia this year – Ireland have the pack to trouble their All Blacks counterparts who, like their team overall, have been inconsistent this year.
Fortunately for the All Blacks, who arrived in Chicago at the end of last week, there should be few excuses. Head coach Scott Robertson confirmed today that all 36 in the squad are available for selection.
"[Ireland are] hard and direct," Savea said. "No handbrakes – they like to win quick ball and they play. Their game is based on collisions. They have a world-class forward pack and there’s a big ownership on us as a pack to front up and win those collisions."
Robertson today said the All Blacks were confident in their set piece that performed well during the France series in July but came unstuck against South Africa in Wellington. He said they were continuing to work on "fine details".
The All Blacks, who finished second in the Rugby Championship to the Springboks (level on competition points but behind on points differential), should have an advantage in that they have just finished an extremely competitive series also featuring the Wallabies and Argentina.
The British and Irish Lions tour in July means Ireland haven't played together since their final Six Nations Test in March. However, 16 Ireland players were involved with the Lions, so a lack of cohesion may not necessarily be an issue.
Plus – as Savea said – they have a simple game plan they know inside out.
"They’ve been world No.1… they know their game so well and how they want to play. When they get it right they’re a very dangerous side. We’ve been on the back end of a few of those [losses]. It’s a great challenge to not only match them but come out on top."
When that thrilling World Cup quarter-final, won 28-24 by the All Blacks under former head coach Ian Foster, is brought up, Savea replied: "That will probably be one of my favourite games I’ve played in – not just the game itself but the whole context of everything around the 2022 year when we lost the series at home [to Ireland].
"It was just a massive build-up to that quarter-final. A lot of people wrote us off – some in our country wrote us off.
"What we had been through as a team – that game meant a lot and to be able to finish like that in the 85th or 86th minute was massive.
"On the flip side that just shows what a quality side Ireland are."
The 32-year-old Savea, with 103 Tests, played in that defeat to Chicago as a 23-year-old still finding his feet in the international game.
He recalled the "bright lights" of a city bathing in the success of the Chicago Cubs MBL championship victory – their first World Series win since 1908 – a hoopla which may have distracted the All Blacks during their week of preparation.
"What I remember as a young fella was 'holy heck, I’ve made it'. But transfer to the game and I ended up on the wing… after two backs injuries… I remember it vividly."
Defensively, the All Blacks were vastly improved against Australia in Perth recently. Their attack was also better – helped by the outstanding midfield of Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea – despite the absence through injury of regular No.10 Beauden Barrett.
"We’re coming off some great momentum and we need to build on that," Savea said. "Our defence has grown and that comes with boys having great clarity and understanding their role. Once you understand that things happen naturally.
"I feel like we’re growing and, hopefully, we’ll get better because that’s what the jersey demands."
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