Hopes for more luck of the Irish
Ireland and New Zealand have met only once at the Rugby World Cup, a game the All Blacks won – but they haven’t had things all their own way in recent years. The Irish ended a 111-year wait for a victory against New Zealand in 2016 when they turned them over on neutral territory in Chicago, before recording a first-ever home win last year. AFP Sport looks back at the history between the two teams ahead of their quarterfinal clash on Saturday.
1995: Lomu bursts onto stage Ireland and New Zealand met in their first pool game in 1995 in a match where legendary All Black winger Jonah Lomu announced himself on the world rugby stage.
The 18-stone winger with blistering pace was the difference between the two sides, running in two tries and setting up another.
Ireland went ahead with a Gary Halpin try but their joy was shortlived as Lomu took over.
His first score showed his immense talent. Receiving the ball out wide with 20 metres to go, he bounced off a tackle by opposite number Richard Wallace.
The second try was a demonstration of pace rather than power as he outpaced Wallace to the corner after a clever penalty move.
But his best moment came in a run from just outside his own 22m, beating four defenders before finally being brought down by a fifth with the try-line at his mercy.
However, Lomu had the presence of mind to pop the ball to flanker Josh Kronfeld as the All Blacks cruised to a 43-19 win.
Ireland lost 36-12 to France in the quarterfinals while the All Blacks went all the way to the final, famously losing 15-12 in extra time to South Africa in Johannesburg.
2016: History in Chicago Ireland waited 111 years for a first win against New Zealand and it came on the unusual territory of Soldier Field in Chicago.
The Irish raced to an astonishing 25-8 lead at the break, the highlight being a sniping break by scrumhalf Conor Murray that split the All Black defence wide open.
Ireland extended their lead to 30-8 after half-time but the world champions roared back, a Scott Barrett try on debut bringing them back to 33-29 with 15 minutes left.
But Ireland held firm and centre Robbie Henshaw went over on 74 minutes to seal their 40-29 win. 2018: First home win
Ireland were unable to complete a series victory in 2016, with the All Blacks squaring it 1-1 with a 21-9 win in Dublin.
Joe Schmidt’s men welcomed New Zealand back to Dublin in 2018, seeking their first victory over the All Blacks on home turf.
The first half was an arm-wrestle, Johnny Sexton and Beauden Barrett trading penalties and the latter slotting a drop-goal as Ireland led 9-6 at half-time.
But Ireland’s pack had New Zealand’s forwards on the back foot for once and the Irish scored a sensational try just after the break, winger Jacob Stockdale chipping and collecting his own kick before racing to the line for a 16-6 lead.
New Zealand threw everything at Ireland and reduced their arrears to 16-9, again through Barrett’s boot, but the Irish held out on their line, an All Black knock-on after 80 minutes sending the Aviva Stadium into raptures.