Andy Farrell has challenged his Ireland team to "come to the party" against New Zealand in Soldier Field tomorrow (8.10pm Irish time).
The head coach feels his side didn't play to their potential when they met in Dublin 12 months ago, their first clash since the harrowing 28-24 loss to the All Blacks in the quarter-final of the World Cup in 2023.
A lacklustre Ireland lost 23-13 at Aviva Stadium, with Damian McKenzie kicking six penalties and Will Jordan scoring a late try for the visitors.
That victory for Scott Robertson’s men meant the sides had shared five wins apiece over 10 meetings since Ireland’s first ever victory over New Zealand in Chicago nine years ago.
Asked about the health of the rivalry, Farrell said last year’s performance had to be improved upon.
"I don't think we came to the party that much last year, as far as the rivalry is concerned," he said. "It's almost as though it [just] happened.
"We got a backlash as far as winning the next three games, the 150th [anniversary game against Australia] was a pretty big occasion for us.
"I'm not saying we were outstanding there but we got the job done.
"You can have all the excuses in the world, and you can take them on board and let them drown you, or you can just take the challenge for what it is and challenge yourself to be as good as you can be early doors.
"Against New Zealand, you are up against a genuine world-class side, therefore your performance has got to be world-class.
"To get to that point at this stage of the season is exciting so we've got to be better than what we were last year and come to the party a little bit more to keep that rivalry going."
Eleven of Farrell’s starting XV played for the British and Irish Lions in Australia, while three more tourists will be sprung from the bench.
All of those returned late to club action but Farrell said he wouldn’t use the fact that they are lightly raced as an excuse.
The All Blacks finished up a vigorously contested Rugby Championship just last month, while the Leinster contingent looked decidedly undercooked when they lost to Munster, for whom Tadhg Beirne excelled, two weeks ago.
"I get all that, I understand all the chat that's going around, but what do you want us to do?" he said.
"Do you want us to accept that and [say] 'it's not going to happen', we've got to embrace this to see how we stand up to that type of challenge.
"The bigger the challenge the more we find out about ourselves. I see it as a privilege.
"We need to realise that early doors. With the way that we've trained and prepared etc, and be ready to be better mentally.
"If you are in a good place mentally, physically the body will follow even if people think it's underdone slightly because of lack of game time.
"I don't believe that. These lads are fit, the challenge is for them to be mentally sharp, to be ahead of the game."
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