'They're the ones who have beaten us in the last two World Cups' Tommy Bowe

Former Ireland winger Tommy Bowe knows what heartache against the All Blacks feels like.

Coming agonisingly close to beating the Kiwis on a number of occasions throughout his career the two time British and Irish Lion is in awe of how much the rivalry between Ireland and the All Blacks has grown in recent years.

Speaking at Canterbury’s launch of the 2025 British and Irish Lions jersey, Bowe spoke to RugbyDump about the upcoming clash between Ireland and the All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium.

“It’s incredible to think that it has become the rivalry it has,” Bowe said.

“Considering that I only retired six or seven years ago and I’d never beaten the All Blacks, I played against them seven times.

“We got really close a number of times, but they were always able to get over the line.

“It was really Joe Schmidt and that match in Chicago that just changed the momentum completely.

“It just shows that once you’re able to break through a glass ceiling, it’s something that you think is impossible, once you’re able to do it, it breaks down the whole barriers around it, and the Irish team since then have been so successful against the All Blacks.”

Whilst the former Ulster winger was keen to stress how impressed he has been with the Irish side under Joe Schmidt and, more recently, Andy Farrell, he was quick to point out that the All Blacks hold the bragging rights in the biggest moments.

“But then the All Blacks be very quick to remind us that it’s all good trying to beat them in between World Cups, but they’re the ones who have beaten us in the last two World Cups and knocked us out.

“Particularly the last one in the quarter-final in France still cuts very deep a year ago, and Ireland really felt that they could go on and win that World Cup.”

When asked about the recent controversy surrounding the release of Johnny Sexton’s book which references his post match interaction with All Black centre Reiko Ioane, Bowe had an interesting take on the situation.

“The All Blacks against Ireland is going to be just class. I cannot wait for Friday night’s match as well. It adds a huge. There’s going to be just such a different atmosphere around it.

“I think listen around Johnny’s book bringing up the history between the All Blacks. Obviously, what happened in that quarterfinal between Reiko and Johnny at the end of that game? I don’t think it brings up bad blood, but I do think that it just adds to the drama of it.

“I do think I know Ireland are favourites going into it, but given that I had never beaten the All Blacks, to think that we’re going into a match against them as favourites is amazing, and I think that just shows the level that Andy Farrell has been able to get this team to. But it’s going to be a cracker of a match.”

Announcing this week that key starters Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett would miss this week’s match due to the concussion protocol, Bowe said he felt that it would be a good opportunity for head coach Scott Robertson to test his squad depth.

“I don’t think Scott Robertson and New Zealand have found the level that they want to.

“Certainly, watching that England match last weekend, they got the win against England, but it probably wasn’t vintage New Zealand.

“So it’ll be interesting to see how they play this weekend, and with the likes of Beauden Barrett and stuff out, it’s going to be a blow to them.”

Concluding the conversation with a quick prediction, Bowe paused for a moment before saying, “I do think Ireland will win. I think that they have such a strong record at home.”