IRELAND ARE SET to return to Chicago for a 2025 Test match against the All Blacks, according to reports in New Zealand today.
Andy Farrell’s side are in line to take on New Zealand at Soldier Field, where Joe Schmidt’s Ireland made history with a first-ever win over the All Blacks in 2016.
The Post reports the game will likely take place in October/early November 2025, before New Zealand travel to Europe for their end-of-year Tests.
It is also reported that Boston and New York were also considered as potential destinations for the fixture.
The success of the 2016 trip to Chicago has ensured the IRFU have remained keen on returning to the USA.
Ireland went back to Soldier Field in November 2018, with Schmidt’s team recording a comfortable 54-7 win against Italy.
Andy Farrell’s Ireland were then due to play the USA in Las Vegas in 2021, but ongoing Covid restrictions saw the planned October Test at the 65-0000 capacity Allegiant Stadium cancelled. The IRFU stated their desire to reschedule for 2022, but a new fixture never transpired.
The 2016 Chicago game marked the start of an intense Ireland-New Zealand rivalry.
Later that month, the All Blacks won a bruising encounter in Dublin, before Ireland claimed a first-ever win over New Zealand on home soil in 2018.
New Zealand had their revenge with a comprehensive 46-14 defeat of Schmidt’s men in the quarter-finals of the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
Ireland then edged the All Blacks at Aviva Stadium in the 2021 Autumn internationals, before an historic first Series win in New Zealand in the summer of 2022. At last year’s World Cup in France, New Zealand ended Ireland’s Webb Ellis ambitions with a thrilling 28-24 quarter-final success.
New Zealand will be back in Dublin later this year for a November Test at Aviva Stadium, before Ireland host Argentina, Fiji and Australia.
Cheat
Get over it
Also go and get your facts right
He is disgrace to the nation. Bet this time sample B won’t go missing
bit severe. it was his horse. he’s the real cheat. glue factory.
Seen his horse hanging out on the boardwalk of the Liffey.
Why is it that people give out when we don’t win medals, but when we put a rider into a competition who has a really good chance of a medal, people call him a cheat, ( his horse failed a doping test ) not Cain and don’t forget he was cleared of having any involvement, plus all of cian’s horses have passed every doping test within the last four years . so why don’t you all get of your high horses . I wish Cain all the best in the qualifier maybe he’ll even bring a medal home .
Well said.
I’m disgusted that this guy is representing my country. As far as I’m concerned he’s a cheat, he shouldn’t be there. If he wins a medal I won’t be celebrating.
im the same..can’t support him.
Well said Vanessa
Humans who take drugs have control over what goes into their bodies, if you are a rider, lots of other people have access to the horse, grooms, vets, anyone passing the stable.
That last episode was all a story from “spooks” missing sample, break in to offices ect
Very strange but still stripped of gold and should not have gone his place should have been given to next in line
Where are all these stupid cheat comments coming from? From my recollection it was his horse that tested positive for a banned substance and not Cian and he was cleared of all involvement in the doping incident. Before or since Athens there hasn’t been a single concern raised about any horse ridden by O’Connor. Get your facts straight before accusing a sportsperson of something so serious.
It’s the fact that there was a real underhanded effort to get sample b to disappear. Said he had no knowledge of it. Well he would say that wouldn’t he.
Don’t we have short memories.
I am a show jumping fan 24/7. I am involved in the production of young horses and travel to shows around the country week in and week out. I do not recognise most of the people commenting on this thread. Yes you are entitled to an opion but that doesnt make you informed or correct. Well done Cian and good luck in the next round from a real Irish Show Jumping Supporter.
Eric Lamaze reigning Olympic champion was thrown out of the Canadian team on several occasions because of cocaine abuse. Now clean and forgiven and hugely popular ( as well as really brilliant ) … Why can’t Cian O’Connor benefit from a similar forgiveness? Especially since his horse tested positive for a tranquilliser?? Go on Cian! Win a medal !! Might be difficult against this English and Saudi Arabians…
Other riders and their families have suffered as a result of this guys drug history. Yet because of his connections he gets picked – whoever picked him should be fired and the committee that helped decide. It means the selectors are cheats as well as O Connor. If a family member of mine was missed out as a result of corruption and cheating I would be disgusted. It’s real Irish where the rich can buy their way out of trouble. Pat Hickey gets promoted and the honest people who compete against O Connor and his selectors must try and keep their chins up against these cheats. It’s our children who will suffer from the example given ie take drugs and you get ahead. Thank you Pat Hickey and your selectors for this sin against decent people. I hope he falls of his horse.
Irish people don’t like success in others, they just like to wallow in their own self pity and blame other people, the government, the British. Someone does well? Must be a cheat, someone earns to much? Must be corrupt. Get over yourselves, knock that large chip off your shoulder and support your country and those competing and working hard for it. Bring on the reds!
so who gave the horse the drugs?
the FEI said it was satisfied that Cian O’Connor was not involved in a deliberate attempt to influence the performance of the horse.
Although the substance was prohibited, it was not performance enhancing.
Always amuses me when i state FACTS and get red thumbs, seems people don’t like the truth.