Ireland and All Blacks return to Chicago for rematch in November series
Feb 18 (Reuters) - Ireland will return to the scene of their first win over New Zealand when they take on the All Blacks at Soldier Field, Chicago after an action-packed November 2025 International Series was announced on Tuesday.
In November 2016, Ireland were 40-29 winners over New Zealand in Chicago, their maiden victory coming in the 29th meeting between the sides. The teams will return to the same venue on November 1 for what is being dubbed the 'Rematch'.
The two countries have met nine times since, with Ireland winning four while New Zealand have won five, including their most recent fixture, a 23-13 success in Dublin last November.
"The 2016 encounter at Soldier Field is one of the greatest moments in Irish Rugby history," Kevin Potts, CEO of IRFU said.
"The rivalry that has grown between our two teams since then is a testament to the quality, passion and the respect that Ireland and New Zealand have for each other."
After their clash with Ireland, New Zealand will head to Britain where they face Scotland, England and Wales in the Autumn Nations Series, while Ireland take on Japan, Australia and South Africa in Dublin.
Ireland beat South Africa in their Pool match at the 2023 World Cup but the Springboks went on to become world champions, retaining their title with a 12-11 win over New Zealand in the final.
South Africa will also come up against France in their first meeting since the French lost 29-28 on home turf in a thrilling World Cup quarter-final. The Springboks will take on Italy and Wales in their other series fixtures.
England, aside from the All Blacks, will face Australia, Fiji and Argentina, hoping to improve on last year's series when they lost to New Zealand and Australia, as well as South Africa, with their only win coming against Japan.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
28 minutes ago
- BBC News
Dublin edge battling Cork to reach All-Ireland last eight
Dublin held off a battling Cork side to win 1-19 to 1-16 at Croke Park and progress to the All-Ireland recovered from a poor start to lead 1-8 to 0-9 at half-time with Chris Og Jones scoring their goal with a composed were much improved in the second half with the forward trio of Cormac Costello, Paddy Small and Sean Bugler helping the hosts to a win after Brian Howard's goal had got them back in the wait for a first championship win over Dublin in 15 years goes on, as they fell agonisingly short against a more experienced Dubs were dealt a blow before throw-in as three-time All Star Con O'Callaghan, who was named to start after returning from injury in the win against Derry, dropped out of the squad. They started well as Paddy Small got an early point after 30 seconds, weaving through and tapping over when it looked like a goal chance would open fisted over another, again after driving directly at the Cork defence, with points from Ciaran Kilkenny and Bulger stretching the dominant Dubs' grew into the game and responded in ruthless fashion as Og Jones curled home their first point on eight minutes before their top scorer Mark Cronin added a Jones then rattled home a goal on 11 minutes, firing past Stephen Cluxton after Cork opted to take a quick sideline ball as the Rebels moved a point Hurley came to life with two well-taken points sandwiched in between John Small registering Dublin's first score in 13 two sides exchanged a few points before Og Jones squandered the chance of a second goal as his low effort from a tight angle was denied by then hit two-pointer as the half was drawing to a close to cut the gap to two points at the break. Dessie Farrell's side knew they needed to raise the tempo in the second half to stay in the competition and they managed to level five minutes after the restart after another fast momentum truly swung in their favour on 45 minutes as Howard drove inside before rifling into the roof of the net for his first championship goal as Dublin led for the first time since the fourth lead was swiftly wiped out as Cork reacted well to the goal, kicking three points in a Lordan also blocked a goal chance from Lee Gannon, before Sean Walsh registered another point to edge the John Cleary's men back in Costello levelled, and the two sides swapped scores for a period as the tight affair remained on a was until the influential Costello re-established a two-point lead for Dublin with a long-range McDonnell squandered the chance to level the game for the seventh time as his two-pointer attempt from a free dropped Breathnach had an impact from the bench as he curled over a late insurance point as Dublin moved into the last eight.
North Wales Chronicle
28 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Moreira narrowly fails to weave Ascot magic for Japan
The Brazilian pilot, known as the 'Magic Man', has ridden big winners around the globe and was entrusted with providing Japan with a first victory at the Royal meeting when receiving the leg-up aboard Noriyuki Hori's ace sprinter – who was sent off the 2-1 favourite for the final Group One of the week. Having been subject to persistent money since advertising his wellbeing in a recent Newmarket gallop, the six-year-old travelled through the contest in sublime style for Moreira. However, he met a determined rival in Lazzat in the closing stages and when the duo began to duel late into the piece, it was Jerome Reynier's French raider who came out on top in the international showdown for sprinting supremacy. 'We went into the race with a lot of confidence, the horse was so well in himself but unfortunately we bumped into a very good horse today,' said Moreira. 'Lazzat's form indicated he would be a danger and he had been winning impressively on his home ground. 'Halfway through I thought I had him done, but he just had another kick and kept attacking the line. I was closing up the gap but we just bumped into a good horse today and my horse ran really well. 'We thought we had a really good crack and unfortunately we just bumped into a really good horse. I can't complain, he tried his very best. 'It's a pleasure to be at a festival like this – of course finishing second is not the best result, but I still have to be happy with that.' While the Wathnan Racing team were able to celebrate feature race success for the headline signing from their pre-Ascot delve into the transfer market, they were also delighted with the performance of fellow new signing Flora Of Bermuda. Andrew Balding's admirable filly was narrowly denied by Inisherin at York on her return to action and in her first outing in the peacock blue and old gold silks, she again hit the frame with a brave third in the hands of PJ McDonald. 'She's run an absolute blinder and she was just a little bit free early,' said Wathnan's Richard Brown. 'She's run another very solid race, she's so consistent. I'd be hopeful that one of these might drop her way and she had some very good horses behind her. 'These two (Lazzat and Satono Reve) have obviously gone a long way clear, but she's finished best of the rest.'
Scottish Sun
35 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Iconic 94-year-old football stadium looks unrecognisable as building site after work begins on £86million renovation
Some big-name artists have performed at magnificent arena FIOR BLIMEY Iconic 94-year-old football stadium looks unrecognisable as building site after work begins on £86million renovation Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FIORENTINA'S iconic stadium looks unrecognisable after building work began on a stunning £86million renovation. The Stadio Artemio Franchi is one of the most famous arenas in Italy after being constructed in 1931 — making it 94 years old. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Fiorentina's Stadio Artemio Franchi looks unrecognisable amid building work Credit: X 4 A stunning £86million renovation project is underway at the iconic arena Credit: X Located in Florence, it holds 47,282 fans and once saw a record 58,271 pack in for Fiorentina's 3-0 win over Inter Milan in November 1985. But after going several previous renovations in 1990 and 2013, the Artemio Franchi is once again under the knife for a brand new reconstruction. Work started last year on an £86m plan to rebuild several stands while modernising existing infrastructure. It's expected to be completed in the summer of 2026. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD CUP First look at all 15 futuristic World Cup 2034 stadiums And with the Serie A season at an end, contractors have been able to finally raise scaffolding all over the stadium, just weeks after a raging fire blazed through Fiorentina's training ground. The lengthy work means any future home matches will be played with a reduced capacity, with Fiorentina chiefs having already secured a reduction in rent. Club president Rocco Commisso is hopeful that all work will be completed by the deadline, saying: 'For the good of Fiorentina, we must work together and do everything possibly to complete the renovation quickly. 'A partially functioning stadium makes no sense.' BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Fiorentina finished sixth in Serie A this season, securing another year in the Conference League. The Italians have already lost two finals of the relatively-new competition to West Ham and Olympiacos. Cesc Fabregas' Como told to make new stadium smaller amid fears stunning lakeside views could disappear 4 The Artemio Franchi is 94 years old and has held games for two World Cups in Italy Credit: Getty 4 Several massive musicians have held concerts there too Credit: Getty While this term they were KO'd in the semis by Real Betis, who went on to lose the final 4-1 to Chelsea. Their Artemio Franchi arena has played host to some memorable events, including the 1934 and 1990 World Cups. It's also hosted Italy's national football and rugby teams while also playing host to a number of non-sporting events. David Bowie, Madonna and Bruce Springsteen are among the superstars to have played there. While in 1954, local legend claims that UFOs travelling at high speed stopped directly over the stadium during a reserve game before coating the Artemio Franchi in a 'silvery glitter.'
