Scott Barrett and the All Blacks have the chance to reclaim the World No 1 ranking if they can beat Ireland in Dublin. Photo: Steven Markham
All Blacks v Ireland
Kick-off: 9.10am Saturday 9 November
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Live updates on RNZ Sport
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett is expecting a backlash from Ireland after his side dumped their opponents out of last year's Rugby World Cup with an epic 28-24 quarter-final win.
That represented another Irish disappointment in a tournament they had high hopes of winning, and Barrett knows the home side will be fired up in front of their own raucous fans.
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"It was one of the great matches of the World Cup last year. We know what Ireland will turn up with, a willingness to play. They will be looking to put us under pressure and vice-versa," Barrett said.
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett tackles England's George Furbank. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2024 www.photosport.nz
"Their ability to play with the ball in hand, their short-pass game, that is why they are world number one. We need to nullify that threat.
"It is going to be an 80-minute effort. We have touched on how big the occasion is playing Ireland at home."
Ireland claimed a first series win in New Zealand in 2022 that lit the touch paper in a growing rivalry.
"There is a lot of feeling, it is test match rugby and two teams that really want to get a result. At times emotions can boil over, you just have to be accurate with your game.
"It is two teams as that play a similar game, it is going to be intense. Ireland have been right up there, not just the last few years. In the last 10 years they have been leading the way in a lot of areas.
"This tour is huge for where we are as an All Blacks team. It was a tough game last week (against England) and will be even tougher this week. We are going to have to be better."
The All Blacks could end the weekend as No 1 for the first time since 2019 semi-final if they beat Ireland and South Africa lose to Scotland. Photo: Photosport
This will be the All Blacks third trip to Dublin since 2018. They lost on both previous visits.
Also on the line are world rankings. Ireland are guaranteed to remain World No 1 if they beat the All Blacks in Dublin, regardless of the outcome between South Africa and Scotland at Murrayfield.
South Africa will return to number one in the world if they are victorious against Scotland on Sunday and Ireland fail to beat New Zealand.
A draw would also be enough for the Springboks if Ireland lose.
The All Blacks can also end the weekend as number one for the first time since the Rugby World Cup 2019 semi-final if they beat Ireland and South Africa lose to Scotland, a scenario which would result in the All Blacks leapfrogging both sides.
-Reuters/RNZ
