The Irish Rugby Match Everyone Was Hoping For In 2017 Looks Like It Isn’t Happening
Latest posts by Will Matthews (see all)
- Warren Gatland to leave his role as Wales head coach with immediate effect - February 11, 2025
- South Africa set to play Rugby Championship game in Europe - February 11, 2025
- Ronan O’Gara had some very interesting comments on Sam Prendergast after his Scotland performance - February 10, 2025
Joe Schmidt’s men must have scared them away.
Any hope of an Ireland and New Zealand rematch in 2017 looks to be gone, with reports coming in that the two sides will not face each other this year during the All Blacks end of season tour.
The world champions will take on Wales and Scotland in November of this year, but the Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that the third tier one Test will be against France on November 11, and not Ireland.
Ireland famously defeated the All Blacks in November of last year in Chicago, their first win after 111 years of trying. An Ireland vs. New Zealand rematch at Soldier Field had reportedly been offered to the NZRU but was turned down.
Instead, the All Blacks will likely be taking on the Barbarians on November 4 at either Twickenham or the Millennium Stadium. It has already been revealed that they will not face England in 2017 either.
For the last three British & Irish Lions series, Ireland has hosted the opposition team in Dublin for the November internationals, making it the first time in 16 years the IRFU will have missed out on the marquee match.
Are New Zealand dodging the two toughest teams in the northern hemisphere in 2017 for a reason?
