All Blacks face biggest test yet under Rennie at Eden Park

A rivalry that's become one of rugby's best

Ireland took 111 years to beat the All Blacks but have won five of the 11 games since. During that time, the only team with a better record against the All Blacks is the world number one ranked Springboks.

I remember watching the All Blacks lose their first ever test series on home soil in a packed Irish Bar with my black jersey on, and as I left good humoured Irish fans shook my hands, a few hugged me, and one even patted me on the head. 

Recently the All Blacks have evened the score with three on the trot. The best game of those three (and arguably the entire 2023 Rugby World Cup) was the most recent Rugby Would Cup Quarter Final when Sam Whitelock, won a penalty in the 80th minute to win the game after 37 phases of thudding Irish attack. 

Those losses, that awesome World Cup victory, and that one head pat will be in the back of my mind when the All Blacks face Ireland for the 39th time - 7:10pm on Saturday 18 July at a sold out Eden Park. 

Here are the big stories, matchups, and stats to watch for the game on Saturday.

New Coach, who’s this?

Dave Rennie’s third test might be the toughest so far. It’s his team’s first against a top-three ranked opponent, and first against a side with such a strong control and territory game. 

The All Blacks have been optimistic in their first two outings under Rennie. We top the Nations Championship in carries per match (166.5), passes per match (265.5), and we’re second in total carry metres (1,002.8). We’re also holding onto the ball, which All Blacks fans love to see, we’re kicking from hand an average of only 16.5 times per game (the second lowest in the comp). 

Ireland - longest serving coach ever

Ireland's longest serving coach, Andy Farrell, has 59 tests under his belt, and just signed on to 2031. 

His side has a different approach to the All Blacks - they carry less, pass less, kick more, and control tempo well. They’re also second in the comp for dominant tackles, they play a territorial, defensive game, and will seek to slow the All Blacks down and frustrate them. 

Their game works, Farrell has presided over the team's most successful era, including a first-ever series win in New Zealand in 2022, and Ireland's first spell atop the world rankings. Their record is not quite as impressive in Rugby World Cup quarter finals. 

Two unbeaten teams, one unbeaten fortress

Like the All Blacks, Ireland are unbeaten so far in the Nations Championship, they dominated Japan and scored a try in the 77th minute to come from behind against Australia.

But Ireland have never won at Eden Park. The All Blacks are unbeaten at the stadium for 52 consecutive tests, since 1994. The winner of this game claims the lead in the Nations Championship, and either defends or overturns three decades of Eden Park dominance. No pressure.

The individual battles to watch

Last week against Italy, Will Jordan wrote his name in the record books when he scored his fiftieth try in the black jersey, he’s now New Zealand’s top all-time try scorer, one clear of Doug Howlett. If he’s running well and breaking the Irish line, the men in green will struggle to contain the All Blacks. 

Ireland’s Josh van der Flier (World Rugby Player of the Year 2022) is a key cog in the Irish defensive machine. He’s made almost 30 tackles per game in the Nations Championship, the most of any player by far. If Ireland’s defensive line holds, he’ll be the man doing most of the work. 

Ruben Love is another one to watch. He managed the team well in his first two starts and in the words of Rennie he "doesn't mind bossing around some of the old fellows.” That said, he’s never played against Ireland, and his kicking game hasn’t seen a stern test from a pressure side like them. 

Lastly, as always, the breakdown will be key. All Blacks Captain Ardie Savea is the man here for New Zealand, if he’s playing well over the ball, we’ll be competitive. Caelan Doris, Ireland’s captain, and most dominant player at the breakdown, is out, but van der Flier, and Tadhg Beirne are known to be a nuisance on the ground. 

What's on the Line at Eden Park?

Besides the Springboks, Ireland are arguably the team most capable of beating the All Blacks. At stake: the Eden Park fortress, a young side's confidence, and Dave Rennie's record just three games into the job 

Will this be another pat on the head, or a glorious moment like Sam Whitelock’s 80th minute turnover in that famous Quarter Final win?