England great reveals ‘phenomenal’ snippet of All Blacks ‘rugby IQ at its absolute best’ and singles out ‘point of difference’ concern about Ireland

Ben Youngs Praises All Blacks' Rugby IQ in Comeback Win

Retired England rugby star Ben Youngs shared his thoughts on the All Blacks' recent victory over Ireland in Chicago. New Zealand overturned a 7-13 deficit to triumph 26-13, sealing the game with three tries in the final quarter that drained the energy from Andy Farrell’s underperforming Irish team.

Match Overview and Key Moments

Scott Robertson’s New Zealand side was not dominant for much of the match held in the United States, but they did just enough to impress Youngs, who holds the record for most caps with England. Speaking on the For The Love Of Rugby podcast, which he co-hosts with Dan Cole, Youngs highlighted a particularly remarkable moment in the 19th minute.

"The first touch Leicester Fainga’anuku had in the New Zealand attack that followed Ireland’s score left me purring."

Turning Point at 19th Minute

At that stage, New Zealand trailed 0-10 after conceding a converted try to Tadhg Furlong. The try came while Ireland played with 14 men, as Tadhg Beirne had received a 20-minute red card. Leicester Fainga’anuku, who came on for the injured Jordie Barrett just before Furlong’s score, made an immediate impact with his first involvement in the All Blacks’ counterattack.

Youngs’ Comeback and Insight

Ben Youngs recently returned to international rugby after a two-year break, featuring in last month’s match against Australia—the first since the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final win over Ireland. Youngs had left the Crusaders for a two-season contract with Toulon but remains deeply connected to rugby analysis.

"The All Blacks displayed rugby IQ at its absolute best in that moment."

The former England captain singled out this period as an example of New Zealand’s natural rugby intelligence and ability to exploit pivotal moments in high-stakes games.

Author's summary: Ben Youngs applauds the All Blacks’ exceptional rugby intelligence during their comeback win over Ireland, highlighting a decisive moment led by Leicester Fainga’anuku amidst a challenging match.

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Planet Rugby Planet Rugby — 2025-11-05

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