Overview
- Ireland forwards coach Paul O’Connell acknowledged the team’s uneven past year and set consistency as a priority heading into the New Zealand match.
- Captain Caelan Doris has completed his return-to-play program and is available, with coaches yet to decide whether he starts or comes from the bench.
- The squad arrived early in Chicago for fast, contact-heavy training designed to shake off jet lag and raise match readiness.
- Assistant coach Andrew Goodman’s Crusaders background is seen as offering tactical insight into All Blacks coach Scott Robertson’s methods.
- The fixture is Ireland’s first meeting with New Zealand since the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final, with some analysis suggesting the All Blacks benefit from being at the end of their season.