All Blacks v Ireland: The critical similarity Dave Rennie’s side has with 2022 campaign as green tidal wave approaches
The All Blacks are preparing for a challenging series against Ireland and South Africa, drawing parallels to their difficult 2022 campaign. The article reflects on how past defensive struggles against these teams led to necessary tactical overhauls that ultimately improved the team's performance.
Why it matters
It provides historical context for international rugby rivalries and illustrates how high-level sports teams use past failures to refine defensive strategies.
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The All Blacks face one green juggernaut this weekend in Ireland and then another, significantly bigger and harder to stop green beast – South Africa - lies in wait after that.
The last time the All Blacks faced a green tidal wave of this nature – playing a five-test stretch against Ireland at home and then South Africa away – was in 2022, and goodness knows the sky almost fell in by the end of it.
After winning the opening game at Eden Park in 2022, the All Blacks lost the next three before book-ending the series with a win at Ellis Park.
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