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John Fogarty: All Blacks Chicago clash 'perfect' for Ireland focus

Ireland return to the scene of their famous victory over New Zealand in 2016
Ireland return to the scene of their famous victory over New Zealand in 2016

Ireland's latest clash with the All Blacks is the "perfect" game to focus the minds, says assistant coach John Fogarty, who has no concerns that many of the players are too lightly raced.

Andy Farrell selected 17 Ireland players on his British and Irish Lions squad who recorded a 2-1 series win over the Wallabies last summer.

Leinster provided 12 of that tally with most of those players gradually introduced back to action over rounds three and four of the BKT United Rugby Championship.

The fear, ahead of the 1 November rematch with New Zealand in Chicago, is that majority of the players will be undercooked, especially in comparison to their opponents, who are just off the back of a riveting Rugby Championship series.

Fogarty was asked if the spectre of Scott Robertson's side will help the players, particularly the Leinster contingent that misfired against Munster at the weekend.

"I know the Lions [tour] makes it a little bit different," he said. "We work really closely with those Lions players throughout the summer.

"I don't feel concerned about Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Rónan Kelleher or Andrew Porter. They're really clear on what it is we're trying to achieve.

19 July 2025; Tadhg Furlong of British & Irish Lions during the first test match between Australia and the British & Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Tadhg Furlong played all three Lions Tests

"They've had rest, they've had a pre-season, so any little bits and pieces that are untidy or fix-ups, mentally they're not fatigued from anything.

"They should be in a really good place to come in and hit the ground running, and that's what's expected of them."

On how off the pace many of the Leinster Lions looked in the 31-14 loss, he added: "A kick in the arse sometimes is a good thing and Munster gave Leinster a massive kick in the arse.

"Sometimes that can be a really good thing, to just check yourself.

"If they can't get themselves in the right place [for New Zealand] then we've all done a poor job. So look, it's not a concern for us.

"It shouldn't be the case [that New Zealand focusses the mind more] when you're playing for Ireland, but I guess everyone understands it's a huge game, so it's perfect. It's a perfect game for us."

Fogarty compared the match-up with the first game Ireland played following their devastating 2023 World Cup quarter-final loss to the All Blacks, a surprise win away from home against Les Bleus.

"I remember coming back from the World Cup and we played France away, down in Marseille, somewhere where France are hugely proud of.

Ireland beat France 38-17 in the first game of the 2024 Six Nations

"The fact that it was France away first up in that [2024] Six Nations, it did probably feel a little bit different because they understood the challenge. It'll be no different.

"They'll rise to this type of occasion and they understand the challenge.

"Understanding our game plan, getting the mood right at the right times during the week and then having the right mental pitch to be able to put the game on the field for 80 minutes is a challenge, but it's something that we're really looking forward to."

The teams have become genuine rivals, sharing five wins apiece, since Ireland made the famous breakthrough in Soldier Field nine years ago, ending an 111-year wait for victory in the fixture.

5 November 2016; Josh van der Flier, right, and Conor Murray of Ireland celebrate victory after the International rugby match between Ireland and New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago, USA. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Ireland beat New Zealand 40-29

"I remember watching that game and being overjoyed because you're almost shocked and surprised," recalled former Leinster hooker Fogarty, who was capped by Ireland in 2010.

"It was brilliant for Irish rugby [but] I don't think there's a huge significance to this group.

"We're not sitting in fear, we're excited with the challenge and we should be expecting the best of ourselves.

"I'm sure there was a bit of hoping that things would go well, years ago. I think there's an expectation within the group that we need to be competing with these teams every time we take the pitch.

"There should be nothing else in our mind, our mentality has to be that and that's why I'm talking about how we need to push ourselves right now, not wait and see what happens or hope things go well.

Ireland travel to the United States today with Bundee Aki, Paddy McCarthy and Robbie Henshaw being assessed for injuries, while Mack Hansen has been ruled out.

There was, however, a positive update on captain Caelan Doris (below), who has been out of action since May with a shoulder injury.

18 October 2025; Caelan Doris of Leinster arrives before the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Munster at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

"I think he did a bit with Leinster last week," he said of the number 8. "I know he has returned, I think he did some modified contact last week.

"He's in great form. I think he's fizzing away. There's a nice mood to him, how he's talking to lads, how he's speaking to us. He's a very measured guy, Caelan.

"We're excited that he's back. I don't know his plan over the next couple of days, we've two, three sessions on the pitch, Saturday and Thursday will be performance days.

"So if he's in those games, then we'll see where he's at for New Zealand week, but I know that he did some modified contact last week."

Leinster pair Jack Conan and Tommy O’Brien were late withdrawals against Munster, while Munster scrum-half Craig Casey is recovering from a hamstring issue that saw him sit out the last three rounds of URC action.

Fogarty said: "As far as I'm aware, there's nothing there that's going to stop them training from now on.

"All minor bits and pieces, so yeah, they're good to go."

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