Ireland captain Dan Sheehan has called on his side to "make our own history" as they prepare to face New Zealand at Eden Park in the Nations Championship this Saturday. The iconic Auckland stadium remains an imposing fortress for the All Blacks, who have not suffered a defeat there since 1994, a record that looms large over the highly anticipated fixture.
While Ireland achieved a historic Test series victory on New Zealand soil in 2022, their journey began with a loss at Eden Park before they secured wins in Dunedin and Wellington. Sheehan, the 27-year-old Leinster hooker, acknowledged the All Blacks' impressive home record but stressed that it hasn't been a primary focus for the current squad. He emphasised the team's belief in their capabilities, stating, "It's a special record, but we're trying to get the best out of the group we've seen this year and we think we have it in us."
Despite collecting maximum points from their initial Nations Championship encounters against Australia and Japan, some observers have voiced concerns regarding the overall performance levels. Sheehan himself admitted that recent displays haven't met the team's expectations but expressed optimism about delivering a cohesive performance against Dave Rennie's formidable side. New Zealand also enter the match with a perfect record in the competition, having defeated France and Italy.
The match holds particular significance for New Zealand-born Sean Jansen, who is set to feature among Ireland's replacements. The 27-year-old back-rower, who plays for Connacht and qualifies for Ireland through his grandparents, made a try-scoring debut against Japan last weekend. Sheehan praised Jansen's impact, highlighting his incredible energy and ball-carrying prowess, and hopes he will deliver a similar performance off the bench.
The fixture represents a crucial test for Andy Farrell's team as they aim to finish the Southern Series phase of the competition on a high. With a relatively new group of players, many of whom were not part of the 2022 touring squad, the emphasis is firmly on creating a fresh legacy and securing a memorable victory at one of rugby's most challenging venues.