Garry Ringrose: Victory over the All Blacks would ‘add to the legacy’ as Ireland put remarkable record on the line in Dublin
Ireland's Garry Ringrose in action against the All Blacks during their home victory in 2021.
Garry Ringrose hopes that home comforts at the “special” Aviva Stadium can be a key factor in determining their massive clash with the All Blacks.
Andy Farrell’s men begin their November campaign with a game against New Zealand in what is set to be a mouth-watering contest.
It will be their first meeting since their Rugby World Cup quarter-final last year and no doubt the hosts will be looking for revenge.
Unlike in 2023, which was played on neutral territory, Ireland will be back in familiar surroundings in Dublin for the rematch, which could well be decisive.
Incredible record at home
They have an outstanding record at the Aviva Stadium having not lost there in three-and-a-half years – against France in the 2021 Six Nations.
A triumph over Scott Robertson’s side would be their 20th successive win there and Ringrose is determined to reach that remarkable number.
“I wouldn’t know the number because it’s such a special place for us to play. I think it’s continuing to become more special with every experience we have there, some results where our backs are against the well,” he told reporters.
“It makes us all appreciate what’s coming up this weekend. It’s always been special but with every result we have there, it just kind of adds to the legacy and we certainly want to keep that going.
“All players I know and certainly myself are pretty short-term focused, you don’t think about the game last week or the game the following week, it’s just all in on this one.
“Whether we win or lose, that’s not in our control, just how hard we work and prep. That’s what the focus would be on rather than any records or anything. We just prepare as best we can and hopefully the result can go our way.”
It isn’t just Ireland’s home record which is impressive but also their recent results against the All Blacks.
Despite losing in the 2019 and 2023 World Cup quarter-finals, they have enjoyed plenty of success against New Zealand elsewhere.
Their first ever win famously came in Chicago in 2016 but, since then, they have emerged triumphant on four more occasions.
Winning record
In fact, following the agonising 24-22 loss in 2013, they have played each other nine times with Ireland edging the contest 5-4.
“I mean, I’d never use or think in my head, the phrase ‘getting used to playing against them’, because they’re such a good team that it requires all-in with the preparation of the week,” Ringrose said.
“I certainly feel if I’m not all-in in everything I can do to try and prepare, they are exceptionally good at exposing that. And in the past, it shows that even when we are all-in [with our] preparation, they can still expose it with the strength they have.
“They’re a team you just have to be at your best against to try to beat them. And we’ve been lucky in the past in some of those games to get a win and then some unfortunate results in there as well.
“So it’s something I never take for granted, and I’m excited for the challenge.”
