Ireland and New Zealand will reignite their fierce rivalry in Dublin, their first meeting since the All Blacks knocked Ireland out in the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals causing Irish heartbreak. It's a showdown that offers Ireland a chance to reset, with key returning players and a strong home advantage.
New Zealand, on the other hand, arrive with some line-up uncertainties after a number of key personnel picking up injuries against England.
Current Form and Key Changes
Ireland are coming off a successful Guinness Men's Six Nations campaign, securing back-to-back titles and displaying consistent form. However, head coach Andy Farrell faces challenges in the front row, especially at hooker, with Dan Sheehan sidelined due to injury and back-ups Ronan Kelleher and Rob Herring having limited playing time.
Hugo Keenan’s return from Olympic Sevens duty bolsters the backline, while Caelan Doris steps in as captain with long-standing Irish servant Peter O’Mahony battling injury.
New Zealand began their Autumn Nations Series with a narrow 22-24 victory over England. Key absences loom for the All Blacks, with Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor out due to head injuries.
New Zealand will have a more than capable replacement for Beauden Barrett, with Damian McKenzie the obvious choice for fly-half. McKenzie kicked what proved to be the winning conversion from 45.5 meters out with laser-guided accuracy.
Historic Rivalry
The Ireland-New Zealand rivalry has intensified over recent years to become one of the fiercest rivalries in recent years.
Out of their last five encounters, Ireland hold a slight edge with three victories to New Zealand’s two, including a historic series win in New Zealand in 2022.
Overall, however, New Zealand dominate the fixture, winning 31 of their 37 meetings since 1905. Notably, the All Blacks have knocked Ireland out of the last two World Cups, adding an extra edge to this matchup.
Controversy also plays its part, and nowhere was that clearer than in the now-infamous 2023 “Sexton-Ioane” spat. Irish legend Johnny Sexton, fired up after Ireland’s loss, had a heated exchange with All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane.
New Zealand coach Scott Robertson recently acknowledged the incident, remarking: “It doesn’t matter what game or what sport, you’ve got those little rivalries but there’s still a lot of respect that we need to show.” Sexton hung up his boots after that quarter-final loss, but now that he's back with Ireland in a consultancy role, expect this topic to rear its head throughout the week.
Stats Breakdown
It is going to be a tightly contested battle with Andy Farrell's team looking to continue their fine defensive record. Ireland conceded both the fewest entries into their 22 (30) and the fewest points per entry (1.7) of any team in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations. This record will be tested as they are coming up against New Zealand who during the recent Rugby Championship scored the most points per 22 entry (3.0).
New Zealand are also a side that have beaten more defenders (30.9) and made more line breaks (9.0) per game than any other men’s Tier 1 side in 2024. However, Ireland only conceded 4.0 line breaks per game this year, with Scotland the only nations to be less (3.0)
All eyes on Dublin
Friday’s Autumn Nations Series game in Dublin isn’t just about winning. For Ireland, it’s a chance to prove that they can conquer New Zealand at home and finally vanquish the ghosts of the 2023 World Cup quarter-final.
For the All Blacks - hot on the heels of a scarily-close win against England - it’s an opportunity to reassert their dominance and overcome an opponent that over the past few years has repeatedly proven to be their equal, if not more.
So, as the Aviva Stadium lights up this Friday, the stakes are more than just points on the scoreboard: they’re about global dominance. And in that sense, Ireland v New Zealand might just be rugby’s most thrilling and intense rivalry today.
