Three All Blacks Starters Who Flopped vs Ireland — And Who Should Replace Them

Having suffered their first-ever defeat by Ireland at Soldier Field in 2016, the All Blacks came from behind in an impressive second-half showing to crush Irish hopes of another memorable day in America.

Ireland lost influential forward Tadhg Beirne to a red card after three minutes. Tadhg Furlong’s try helped the visitors lead 10-0, but Ardie Savea’s score brought the All Blacks to within three at the break.

Jack Crowley’s penalty stretched Ireland’s lead to 13-6 early in the second half, but Tamaiti Williams, Wallace Sititi, and Cameron Roigard all crossed to ensure a deserved win for the southern hemisphere giants.

Despite the victory, it was the bench that got Scott Robertson out of jail, with several starters failing to make the expected impact in Chicago.

Ethan de Groot struggled to dominate in the scrum and had a quiet 48 minutes. His replacement, Tamaiti Williams, brought strength and physicality, scoring a key try that gave New Zealand their first lead. Williams’ impact highlighted the difference a fresh, dynamic prop can make.

Rugby Pass 5/10: "De Groot managed two carries and five tackles in his 48 minutes on the park. His side of the scrum was the more stable, without convincing that the Kiwi was the stronger of the scrummagers on that side."

Rugby Pass 9/10: "The prop provided more grunt in the scrums and the muscle to score close to the line, handing his side their first lead of the game. A real difference maker."

STUFF 7/10: "Used his bulk to perfection in burrowing over for try that was able to put All Blacks ahead for first time."

Simon Parker was largely ineffective, missing tackles and failing to make the expected impact, while Wallace Sititi energized the forward pack off the bench. Sititi contributed crucial carries, stole a lineout, and scored a try, demonstrating the All Blacks’ depth and the value of game-changing replacements.

Rugby Pass 6/10: "Tadhg Furlong’s try came from cutting inside Parker, running a line that helped beat the flanker in the collision. Outside of that, with just a handful of tackles to his name, Parker fell short of the ‘enforcer’ title he’s selected to live up to."

Planet Rugby 5/10: " Continues to look the part and is a threat when he gets the ball, but there was the odd decision-making issue."

STUFF 4/10: "Quiet 50-minute display (went for HIA in 30th minute, then returned for first half of second stanza), taking just two carries for zero metres when game was largely stop-start, and making seven tackles and two misses, as unable to stop Furlong for game’s first try. Position not so secure."

Rugby Pass 8/10: "Sititi offered impact off the bench, coming away from the Test as one of the most-employed ball-carriers after two separate stints on the field and was rewarded with a try."

STUFF 7/10: "Whether or not the bench remains the right place for him, it provided the All Blacks with plenty of impact. After a lineout steal he then went close for one try, then finished nicely on another, making 45 metres in his cameo."

Will Jordan showed glimpses of potential but struggled with errors and limited opportunities in Chicago. Damian McKenzie off the bench brought energy, creativity, and attacking spark, turning what was an average performance into a decisive advantage for New Zealand.

STUFF 5/10: "Looked likely on a couple of occasions, notably in making nice break leading to All Blacks’ first-half try, but either side of moving to right wing for final quarter of an hour made a handful of uncharacteristic errors."

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Jordan’s high-ball game has come under scrutiny in 2025, with new laws putting more pressure on the aerial contests. In Chicago, he was a safe pair of hands. The game didn’t open up much to show Jordan’s game-breaking ability, and his playmaking was average with some poor passes seeing the ball hit the ground."

Rugby Pass 8/10: "The playmaker thrived in this fixture a year ago and looked to replicate those efforts this time around. McKenzie brought dynamism off the bench in a game sorely lacking it."