Irish aim to copy Cubs by halting Kiwis

IRELAND will look to make their own piece of history against New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago today. The Chicago Cubs ended a 108-year wait by winning baseball’s World Series on Wednesday; now the men in green are looking to end their own 111-year hoodoo, having never beaten New Zealand in 28 attempts since 1905. It represents the ultimate challenge for Joe Schmidt’s side but skipper Rory Best insisted the players are ready to take on Steve Hansen’s all-conquering All Blacks. ‘We firmly believe in ourselves,’ said Ulster hooker Best. ‘We respect them — you’ve got to — but we don’t fear them. ‘The way this Ireland team has been set up under Joe, we definitely feel we can beat anyone.’