All Blacks in America: A Test History
From introducing themselves to a packed Soldier Field in 2014, to Ireland’s historic breakthrough two years later and more recent stops in Washington, San Diego and Chicago, the USA has become an increasingly important stage for the black jersey.
2014 v USA, Soldier Field, Chicago
The All Blacks’ first Test on US soil in the modern era came against the USA Eagles at Soldier Field in 2014. In front of a huge Chicago crowd, New Zealand scored 12 tries in a commanding 74-6 victory, giving a new American audience a close-up look at the All Blacks. The occasion was as significant as the result. Soldier Field proved rugby could attract a major crowd in one of America’s great sporting cities, and the success of the event helped pave the way for the All Blacks’ return two years later.
2016 v Ireland, Soldier Field, Chicago
Two years later, Soldier Field hosted one of the most significant results in international rugby history. Ireland defeated the All Blacks 40-29 to claim their first-ever win over New Zealand after 111 years of trying. The result ended a long wait for Ireland and added a new edge to a rivalry that would become one of the fiercest in the modern game. Chicago became forever linked with that breakthrough and remained a reference point whenever the two sides met again.
WATCH: Mini Highlights of every Test the All Blacks have played in USA
2021 v USA, FedEx Field, Washington, D.C.
The All Blacks returned to the United States in 2021, this time in the US capital, and delivered one of their biggest Test wins. New Zealand ran in 16 tries to defeat the USA Eagles 104-14 at FedEx Field. It was another showcase event aimed at growing rugby’s profile in North America, with the All Blacks again providing an opportunity for American fans to see one of the sport’s most recognisable teams in person.
2024 v Fiji, Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego
San Diego hosted a different kind of All Blacks occasion in 2024, with Fiji providing the opposition at Snapdragon Stadium. The All Blacks won 47-5, scoring seven tries in a match that also featured several important new faces. Billy Proctor made his Test debut from the start, while George Bell, Pasilio Tosi, Sam Darry, Wallace Sititi and Noah Hotham were among the uncapped players selected in the match-day 23. The fixture was also the first All Blacks-Fiji match played on neutral soil since their first official Test match at the 1987 Rugby World Cup in Christchurch.
WATCH: The ultimate All Blacks in USA Haka compilation
2025 v Ireland, Soldier Field, Chicago
Nearly a decade after Ireland’s famous 2016 victory, the two teams returned to Soldier Field for “The Rematch”. This time the All Blacks came out on top, winning 26-13 after a tight contest that was only broken open in the final quarter. Tamaiti Williams and Wallace Sititi scored within five minutes of each other before Cam Roigard added a late try to seal the result. The victory gave the All Blacks a measure of redemption at a venue that had played such an important part in the modern history of the rivalry.
The USA chapter continues
Across those five Tests, the All Blacks have experienced almost everything in the United States: dominant wins, new caps, huge crowds and some defining moments in their modern history. With rugby continuing to grow in North America, the USA is becoming an increasingly familiar destination for New Zealand rugby. That connection continues this weekend, when the All Blacks face South Africa in Baltimore in the fourth and final Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
WATCH: All Blacks Attack Coach Mike Blair and loose forward Wallace Sititi provide an update from Washington DC
A note on 1913
More than a century before the All Blacks’ modern run of Tests in the United States, New Zealand played an All-America side at California Field in Berkeley on 15 November 1913. The All Blacks won 51-3 in a match that is now officially recognised by New Zealand Rugby as a Test. Played during a 16-match tour of North America, it remains the earliest Test involving the All Blacks on US soil.
