Where to watch Ireland vs New Zealand
You can watch Ireland vs New Zealand on TNT Sports 1 at 8.10pm on Friday
Match prediction & best bet
Ireland -6
1pt Evs Hills
Ireland vs New Zealand predictions
‘Revenge’ was the word on everyone’s lips in Andy Farrell’s Wednesday’s press conference ahead of Ireland’s hugely anticipated Autumn Nations Series clash with New Zealand.
But while Ireland’s head coach might have insisted otherwise, his team will surely be desperate to gain compensation for last year’s World Cup quarter-final exit when the teams renew hostilities at the Aviva Stadium on Friday.
Having failed to win any of their first 28 meetings with the All Blacks, Ireland have fared much better in recent encounters, winning five of nine tussles since 2016, including two of the last three.
However, it was New Zealand who left the field at the Stade de France jubilant the last time these teams faced off, winning 28-24 in the World Cup to deny Ireland a first semi-final appearance in the competition.
Ireland were favourites to overcome the All Blacks on that occasion but a resolute Kiwi defence held on in Paris in what was a disappointing end to Irish legend Jonathan Sexton’s international career.
Caelan Doris, who lined up at number eight in the World Cup defeat, will wear the armband this week and while his coach has downplayed talk of revenge, there looks to be every chance that the hosts will make up for that loss on home turf.
While Ireland are missing tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong, Farrell has named a strong side which features full-back Hugo Keenan and scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park, who both return to the starting line-up for the first time since the Six Nations.
The hosts also boast an experienced bench to be able to call upon, with Iain Henderson, Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray all capable of making an impact in what is likely to be a tight Dublin dust-up.
New Zealand were somewhat fortunate to come away from Twickenham last weekend with a 24-22 win over England, as Steve Borthwick’s hosts squandered late opportunities to pull off a memorable victory.
Ireland, on a 19-match winning run at the Aviva stretching back to 2021, should be more ruthless in taking their chances. Having beaten New Zealand by more than six points in their last two meetings in Dublin, they can be expected to win by at least a converted try.
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