Good evening and welcome to what we hope will be a historic night for Irish rugby.
Shane Costello with you back in base, while our team of reporters in Chicago will provide you with all the latest news from Soldier Field.
The game starts at 8pm, and if you are wondering, you can watch the match live on eir Sport 2 or BT Sport 2.
We’ll also keep you updated throughout the evening.
This will be Ireland’s 29th attempt to beat the All Blacks. Can they do it?
The bookmakers don’t seem to think so, with some pricing New Zealand at 1/25 to win.
A reminder of the Ireland team:
The green army have arrived in the Windy City:
Young Joey getting in the zone
Robbie Henshaw catching up on some reading:
We understand the Irish players will form a figure of eight before kick off in tribute to the great Anthony Foley. Very close to kick-off now.
Joe Schmidt and Steve Hansen caught up before the game:
A round of applause goes around Soldier Field in memory of Axel. The national anthems have now started. How are the nerves?
Well that version of Ireland’s Call was……different. Here comes the haka.
Here we go. Ireland get the game underway!
Penalty! Ireland 3-0 New Zealand (Sexton 4′)
Ireland lead!
After turning down an earlier kickable penalty, Sexton makes no mistake in front of the posts to put Ireland 3-0 in front.
TRY! Ireland 3-5 New Zealand (Moala 4′)
Almost instantly the All Blacks storm up the field.
A brilliant break from Waisake Naholo ends with George Moala crossing the line with the TMO awarding the try after a suspicion of a knock-on. Conversion is missed.
Sin Bin for Joe Moody after a late tackle on Henshaw. Lucky it is not red.
A superb short line-out for Ireland results in another penalty. Sexton goes for the corner and not the posts. The Irish sniff a chance here.
TRY! Ireland 10-5 New Zealand (Murphy 11′)
Another impressive rolling maul from Ireland, and they drive towards the line.
Crucially, the referee asked the TMO if there is a reason if he couldn’t award it, there was none and Ireland get their first try of the game.
Sexton then gets the extras from an improbable angle.
Here is the Ireland team in the shape of an eight during the haka, in tribute to Anthony Foley:
New Zealand’s lineout is scrappy compared to Ireland’s at the moment. The All Blacks haven’t settled yet.
TRY! Ireland 15-5 New Zealand (CJ Stander 18′)
This is an electric start from Ireland.
A smart pass from Murray, finds Rob Kearney who drives himself past a couple of All Black defenders, and that man CJ Stander is there at the crucial moment to pick up and ground the ball over the line.
Sexton, however pulls the conversion wide.
Penalty! Ireland 15-8 New Zealand (Barrett 21′)
Murray caught offside and Barrett has no problem kicking an easy three points.
Joe Moody is back after his yellow card.
Penalty! Ireland 18-8 New Zealand (Sexton 24′)
This game is being played an unbelievable pace at the moment. It’s score after score.
Sexton restores Ireland’s 10-point lead with a straightforward kick, after a foul by Coles, following a superb kickchase with Kearney catching the ball from the heavens.
Murphy didn’t need any confirmation, he knew this was a try:
And CJ celebrating his try:
What an evening, so far!
Looks like both Crotty and Murphy will both be replaced after a long stoppage. Crotty with a groin injury, while Murphy damaged his knee off the ball during an All Black lineout.
Josh van der Flier replaces his injured Leinster teammate.
The ferocity in Ireland’s play shows no sign of slowing down.
Aaron Smith looks to unlock the Irish defence with a kick in behind, but Zebo is there to clean up.
Jack McGrath wins the ball back with a ferocious tackle. Murray then sends the ball into touch. Encouraging.
TRY! Ireland 25-8 New Zealand (Murray 34′)
This is sensational rugby!
Quick-thinking from Murray who spots the gap in the New Zealand defence, the scrum-half cuts through like nobody is at home. Clinical and devastating from Ireland.
Sexton slots the conversion over. Is the first win in our sights?
Ireland gather the restart and then win the lineout after Savea is forced into touch.
The All Blacks win a penalty following the lineout and Barrett boots the ball into touch. Ireland will take half-time now.
Furlong and McGrath hold Tuipulotu up, with the pair winning a scrum for Ireland.
HT: Ireland 25-8 New Zealand
Sexton then hoofs the ball out with 40 minutes on the clock.
Ireland have been nothing short of superb, but can they maintain these exceptional energy levels after the break?
Could the 111-year wait be finally over? The second-half is about to get underway.
Here we go! Second-half has started.
Ear;y New Zealand pressure, but Ireland manage to clear their lines after an inital knock-on from Trimble with the sun in his eyes as he went up to claim a box kick.
Moody in trouble again, this time for a high tackle on Rob Kearney. But it’s just a penalty. Sexton finds the corner with a fantastic kick.
TRY! Ireland 30-8 New Zealand (Zebo 47′)
Brilliant again from Ireland!
Ireland get the all important score of the second-half, and their fourth try of the game.
Quick ball from Murray following a maul, finds Sexton and the fly-high spreads the ball to Zebo to easily finish.
Sexton fails to add another two.
TRY! Ireland 30-15 New Zealand (Perenara 52′)
They are not World Champions for nothing. And New Zealand respond in typical All Black fashion
Dane Coles makes the break and finds Perenara to cross the line. The conversion goes over and the gap is down to 15.
Breathless stuff.
New Zealand steal the ball from the lineout and are now camped in the Ireland 22.
TRY! Ireland 30-22 New Zealand (Smith 52′)
Ben Smith produces a stunning to finish to ground the ball one-handed in the corner, despite pressure from two chasing Irish defenders.
Barrett then sends a difficult-looking conversion over the bar. Margin down to eight.
What a game!
Penalty! Ireland 33-22 New Zealand (Murray 60′)
Ireland win a priceless penalty in front of the posts after the restart.
Murray converts with Sexton getting treatment, and is replaced by Joey Carbery. Cian Healy then replaces McGrath.
TRY! Ireland 33-29 New Zealand (Scott Barrett 62′)
Scott Barrett charges through the Irish defence, after some good pressure in the Irish 22.
Ireland will be disappointed though with that score, but the momentum from the sub, forces him over the line. His brother adds the conversion.
A grandstand finish on the way!
A long 13 minutes left. How are the nerves?
Test of Ireland’s concentration skills now, as New Zealand knock-on just as the All Blacks were driving their maul into the Irish 22. 7 minutes to go.
Brilliant smash by Trimble on Liam Squire, who then knocks-on. Best is replaced by Cronin.
Scrum to Ireland with six minutes to go.
Try! Ireland 40-29 New Zealand (Henshaw 76′)
History beckons for Ireland!
Ireland chase the All Blacks into their 22, with Murray forcing Savea behind his in-goal area. From the Ireland scrum, Henshaw crosses the line.
Joey Carbery then gets his first international points from the conversion.
Party time in Chicago!
Carbery misses a penalty in front of the posts, but it won’t matter. Ireland are a matter seconds away from victory.
FT Ireland 40-29 New Zealand
IRELAND HAVE BEATEN THE ALL BLACKS!!
The day has finally come.
Fantastic!
A deserved victory for Ireland.
The 111-wait is over and oh boy, how Ireland deserved that. Soak it up.
We’ll have all the reaction throughout the night from Chicago.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!