Match Report

Ireland 13-26 New Zealand: All Blacks Triumph in Chicago Amid Controversial Beirne Red Card

Early yellow card for Tadhg Beirne’s high tackle on Beauden Barrett escalated to a red after video review; Ireland initially led 10-0 and 13-7, but New Zealand surged back with tries from Ardie Savea, Tamaiti Williams, Wallace Sititi, and Cam Roigard

Last Updated: 02/11/25 10:09am

The New Zealand All Blacks secured a 26-13 victory over Ireland at Soldier Field, Chicago, avenging their previous loss on American soil. The match was overshadowed by a contentious red card shown to Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne just three minutes in.

Beirne was initially penalized with a yellow card for a high tackle on Beauden Barrett, but after a bunker review, the decision was unexpectedly upgraded to a red, forcing Ireland to play with 14 men for a significant portion of the first half.

Despite this setback, Andy Farrell’s squad responded impressively, taking an early lead of 10-0 through Jack Crowley’s accurate kicking and a powerful try from Tadhg Furlong.

Ardie Savea’s try, scored while Ireland was still a player down, narrowed the margin to 10-7. Crowley extended Ireland’s lead to 13-6 early in the second half, but New Zealand responded with two quick tries from Tamaiti Williams and Wallace Sititi, establishing a commanding lead.

Cam Roigard sealed the victory with a late try, extinguishing any hopes of an Irish comeback.

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The rivalry between Ireland and New Zealand has intensified over recent years, with both teams entering this match level on five wins apiece from their last ten encounters, including their previous meeting in the United States.

Despite the high anticipation, the game was marred by frequent interruptions, which disrupted the flow and dampened the enthusiasm of the packed crowd at Soldier Field.

Following Beirne’s early exit, Iain Henderson came on to bolster the pack, while Caelan Doris made his return from a shoulder injury sustained in May, replacing James Ryan who was temporarily sidelined for a head injury assessment.

Ireland maintained a narrow 10-7 advantage at halftime, with Crowley adding a penalty after missing an earlier attempt to extend the lead to 13-7.

New Zealand struggled to find their rhythm in the first half but took the lead for the first time in the 63rd minute when Beauden Barrett converted Tamaiti Williams’ try.

Shortly after, the All Blacks extended their lead with a well-executed try involving Damian McKenzie and Wallace Sititi, Sititi’s first at Test level, followed by a successful conversion from Barrett, pushing the score to 21-13.

Cam Roigard’s late try put the game beyond doubt, ensuring a comprehensive win for the visitors. This match marked Andy Farrell’s first game back in charge of Ireland since his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions, ending in a tough loss ahead of upcoming fixtures against Japan, Australia, and South Africa in Dublin.

Farrell Reflects on Costly Mental Errors

Andy Farrell expressed frustration over Ireland’s lapses in focus that contributed to the defeat.

Speaking to the BBC, Farrell said, “We discussed before the match the importance of mental sharpness. Unfortunately, brief moments of inattention cost us dearly. It’s something we need to improve as the season progresses, especially if we want to compete at the highest level on big stages like Soldier Field.”

“Losing to a world-class team like New Zealand is always tough, especially when you want to measure yourself against the best. We need to analyze what went wrong and quickly prepare for a crucial autumn series ahead.”

Captain Dan Sheehan on the Setback

Post-match, Ireland captain Dan Sheehan shared his disappointment with TNT Sports:

“It’s a tough result to take. We never really found our rhythm and only showed glimpses of what we aimed for. We were operating at about 80% before halftime and tried to lift in the second half, but errors at the breakdown and discipline let us down. There’s plenty to improve, and we’re determined to bounce back next week.”

“We didn’t see this as an excuse; our training has been intense and focused. We believed we were ready, but things just didn’t click today. We’ll have an honest review and work hard to turn things around.”

All Blacks’ Fabian Holland Praises Team Effort

Fabian Holland, named player of the match, reflected on the significance of the win:

“This was a huge game for us. Ireland is a top-quality side, and we’re thrilled with the victory. We knew how important this match was for Irish rugby and wanted to make a strong statement on this tour. Throughout the week, we emphasized supporting each other, and that’s exactly what we did on the field.”

Upcoming Fixtures

Ireland will next host Japan at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday, November 8, with kickoff at 12:40 pm.

Meanwhile, New Zealand will travel to Murrayfield to face Scotland later that day, kicking off at 3:10 pm.