All Blacks’ US success paves way for another Chicago clash as big rivals set to battle in 2025 – report
After their recent victory over Fiji in San Diego, the All Blacks are reportedly set to return to the USA next year to face Ireland in a repeat of their 2016 clash in Chicago.
According to a report in New Zealand publication The Post, the intense rivalry between the All Blacks and the men from the Emerald Isle is set to continue at Soldier Field Stadium where Ireland secured their first-ever win over the men in black eight years ago.
Memorable victory for Ireland
On that occasion, Ireland clinched a memorable 40-29 victory and the sides have faced each other in eight internationals since then with both teams winning four matches apiece.
Amongst those were two Rugby World Cup quarter-final victories for the All Blacks in 2019 and 2023 while the Irish clinched an historic 2-1 series win in New Zealand in 2022.
The possibility of the 2025 Chicago Test was initially reported on by Stuff in 2023 with Boston and New York also mentioned as possible host cities for the one-off encounter.
The 2025 clash between New Zealand and Ireland comes after the All Blacks successfully hosted a Test against Fiji in front of a sold-out crowd in San Diego last weekend.
That match saw Scott Robertson’s troops sealing a 47-5 victory in front of 35,000 spectators at Snapdragon Stadium and their clash with Ireland is also expected to sell out and take place in a 61,500-capacity Soldier Field Stadium.
Apart from their 2016 clash with Ireland at Soldier Field, the All Blacks also faced the USA at the venue in 2014 and sealed a 74-6 win on that occasion.
A Test between the All Blacks and Ireland is set to raise rugby union’s profile in the USA, who will be the host nation of the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup tournaments in 2031 and 2033 respectively.
World Rugby hosted US delegates
Earlier this month, delegates from US host cities and states were hosted by World Rugby in Washington DC. The governing body highlighted the economic benefits of hosting a Rugby World Cup and spoke to the delegates about the bidding process.
Meanwhile, the Irish Independent reports that an Irish Rugby Football Union spokesperson said Ireland’s Test programme for 2025 has not yet been finalised, and the union would not be drawn on speculation about prospective matches.