The Albany Gazette - Ireland and New Zealand return to Chicago in Autumn Series

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Ireland and New Zealand return to Chicago in Autumn Series

SPORTS 18.02.2025

Ireland and New Zealand return to Chicago in Autumn Series / Photo: PHIL WALTER - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File

Ireland and New Zealand will return to Soldier's Field in Chicago for the opening match of their Autumn Series fixtures which were published on Tuesday.

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The two sides met there in 2016 when the Irish defeated the All Blacks for the first time in their 111-year rivalry.

Since then they have played each other 10 times, winning five each although it was the All Blacks who came out strongest in their epic quarter-final meeting in Paris in the 2023 World Cup.

The Chicago match marks another boost for the sport in the United States which will host the 2031 men’s World Cup and the 2033 women's event.

"We are delighted to see international rugby return to Chicago for this historic ‘Rematch’ between Ireland and New Zealand," said Kevin Potts, CEO of the Irish Rugby Football Union.

"The 2016 encounter at Soldier Field is one of the greatest moments in Irish rugby history, and the rivalry that has grown between our two teams since then is a testament to the quality, passion, and the respect that Ireland and New Zealand have for each other."

New Zealand will continue their Home Nations tour by taking on Scotland, England and Wales while the Irish will host Japan, Australia and world champions South Africa.

The Springboks, who broke French hopes of a home victory in the quarter-finals on their way to winning the 2023 World Cup, open their campaign against the French on November 8.

England lost narrowly to both the All Blacks and Australia in the latest Autumn Series and will have the chance to reverse both of those defeats as they also face the Wallabies at Twickenham.

Steve Borthwick's team will also take on Fiji, who secured their first ever win over England in their last visit to Twickenham in 2023, and Argentina.

"These four matches offer a valuable opportunity for our squad to face different styles of rugby as we continue to develop," said England coach Steve Borthwick.

Scotland, who will take on USA on home soil for the first time since 2000, also announced that they would play against Maori All Blacks in July as part of their 2025 summer tour in Whangarei.

2025 Autumn Nations Fixtures

November 1: England v Australia, Scotland v USA, Ireland v New Zealand

November 8: Ireland v Japan, England v Fiji, Scotland v New Zealand, Italy v Australia, France v South Africa

November 9: Wales v Argentina

November 15: Italy v South Africa, Ireland v Australia, England v New Zealand, Wales v Japan, France v Fiji

November 16: Scotland v Argentina

November 22: Wales v New Zealand, Ireland v South Africa, Italy v Samoa, France v Australia

November 23: Scotland v Tonga, England v Argentina

November 29: Wales v South Africa

(R.White--TAG)