New Zealand will face Ireland in Chicago in November, a rematch of their historic 2016 clash where Ireland recorded their first-ever victory over the All Blacks.
The match will take place at the Soldier Field, home to the NFL’s Chicago Bears, on Nov. 1 and sees the two teams meet on the same patch of grass where they played nine years ago.
On that day it was Ireland who took the bragging rights, winning 40-29 in an emotionally charged Test which ended their 111-year wait for a win over New Zealand.
Since that historic day in Chicago, the two teams have met nine times, with the All Blacks winning five of those matches.
But crucially for Ireland, that run of results included Ireland winning the 2022 Test series 2-1 on New Zealand soil.
“This will be an epic rematch in one of the world’s great sporting cities,” All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said in a statement. “All Blacks supporters will remember well the last time we faced Ireland at this venue, which launched one of our fiercest modern rivalries.
“This is an awesome addition to our 2025 schedule; we look forward to bringing the team back to the US and being part of this sporting spectacle.”
New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson said he hopes the match will provide an opportunity to grow rugby on a global scale. “Rugby is experiencing great momentum in the US, particularly with the upcoming Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033, and with the growth of Major League Rugby,” he said.
“The U.S. is part of our wider global strategy, and we’re looking forward to this match as part of our ongoing engagement with North America.”
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Source: espn.com