Irish Rugby: Tadhg Byrne is confident of writing more Irish history against New Zealand in Chicago

Tadhg Byrne believes the current Irish side can make a ‘bit of history’ of their own against New Zealand in Chicago next week.

Ireland will return to Soldier Field to take on the All Blacks on Saturday, November 1 in a repeat of the famous 2016 win.

The win in Chicago was the first time Ireland had beaten New Zealand in 29 attempts in 111 years and Byrne, who has just joined the Scarlets’ Welsh squad, has his own memories of the match fresh in his mind.

“I was sitting there watching the game with my teammates and having a drink,” said second-grader Monster Byrne.

“I wasn’t that close to that team at the time, I just remember being a real Irish fan that day and being really excited about the game and watching it, screaming at the TV and loving every minute of it.”

British and Irish Lion Byrne won his first 61 cap for Ireland two years later and is relishing the chance to beat the All Blacks on American soil.

The Munster lock said: “It’s a very nice stadium with very good memories for a lot of Irish people, so to be involved in it will be very special.”

“It will be an amazing occasion. It’s not often you go to a place like America to play a rugby match, especially against a team like New Zealand, so if we come away with a win, it will be a special game.”

Byrne believes victory nine years ago helped future Irish teams by dispelling the air of invincibility around the All-Blacks. Since then, Ireland have won four more matches between the two sides, and the 32-year-old is convinced history will repeat itself next week.

“Ireland have been knocking on the door for a long time to try and beat the All Blacks,” Byrne said.

“There was a perception that they were somewhat unbeatable, and that put a little crack in the future of Irish teams going forward.

“I’ve been lucky enough to be involved with a few Irish teams that have beaten them, and I think we’ve had confidence over the last couple of years that we’re more than capable of beating them, and it’ll be no different in Chicago.”