The Albany Gazette - Emotions high as All Blacks eye top ranked Ireland's crown

New Zealand can return to the top of the rankings for the first time since 2019 if they beat the Irish on Friday and world champions South Africa lose to Scotland on Sunday.

The hosts and the visitors have developed a fierce rivalry ever since the Irish ended a 111-year wait by beating the All Blacks in Soldier Field, Chicago, in 2016.

Ireland hold the edge over their opponents 5-4 -- including the US victory -- in their last nine meetings.

Those wins include a historic 2-1 series win for Ireland in New Zealand in 2022 whilst the All Blacks ended legend Johnny Sexton's stellar career beating the Irish 28-24 in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals last year.

The All Blacks task is tougher still as the Irish are on a 19-match unbeaten run at home.

"It's going to be intense," said Barrett after training on Thursday.

"Ireland have been right up there, not just the last few years, I think for the last 10 years they've been leading the way in a lot of areas.

"Us as All Blacks, we like to be in the picture in terms of the world number one.

"That's a crown they've got at the moment."

Barrett, whose brother Jordie starts at centre, said last year's quarter-final "was one of the great matches at the World Cup".

However, the end of the match was marred by an angry exchange between Sexton and All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane.

Sexton has revealed in his biography that Ioane told him "Don't miss your flight home tomorrow. Enjoy your retirement, you (expletive)!"

Sexton, no shrinking violet himself, answered back with interest.

"I guess there's a lot of feeling and two teams that want to get a result so, at times emotions can boil over," said Barrett.

"You've just got to be accurate with your game."

The Irish have been at pains to say they are not on a revenge mission but Barrett said he and his teammates had used the series defeat as motivation going into their quarter-final.

"There's always a lot at stake and even more so against Ireland who potentially have had some success over us in past years," said the 30-year-old lock.

"Last year's game at the World Cup, there was a lot of guys hurt by the series loss in 2022 back home, that was easy fuel and you are at a World Cup where everything is heightened."

(P.Clark--TAG)