For 111 years, Ireland struggled to find a way past New Zealand. Their first meeting in 1905 ended in a 15–0 win for the All Blacks, setting a tone of dominance that saw New Zealand win 27 of their first 28 encounters, with the only blemish being a 10–10 draw in 1973. During this era, scorelines often reflected a massive gulf in class, including a 60–0 defeat for Ireland in 2012. The Turning Point: Chicago 2016
The dynamic changed on November 5, 2016, at in Chicago. Ireland secured a historic 40–29 victory, ending their 111-year wait for a win. This match dismantled the "fear factor" and ignited a fierce rivalry that has seen the last 10 matches (up to late 2025) split evenly with five wins apiece. Modern Dominance and Key Milestones New Zealand - Ireland
Since that breakthrough, Ireland has achieved several firsts that solidified their status as a global power: For 111 years, Ireland struggled to find a
Ireland beat the All Blacks 16–9 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The Turning Point: Chicago 2016 The dynamic changed
The rivalry between New Zealand and Ireland has transformed from a historical mismatch into one of the most intense and competitive fixtures in world rugby. For over a century, the held an aura of invincibility over Ireland , but the landscape shifted dramatically in 2016, leading to a modern era where every clash is a heavyweight battle. The Historical Context (1905–2015)
Ireland became just the fifth touring side to win a series in New Zealand, coming from 1–0 down to win 2–1 with a final 32–22 victory in Wellington.
Most recently, New Zealand has reclaimed some momentum with two decisive wins in the last 18 months: Google Sports Data This response uses data provided by Google Sports