We haven’t forgotten our 2013 great escape, says All-Blacks coach

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen believes his all-conquering side cannot afford to let their standards slip at Soldier Field tomorrow if the world champions are to secure a 19th successive victory with a win over Ireland.

The Dublin near-miss by Joe Schmidt’s team in 2013 has not been forgotten by the New Zealand camp any more than Ryan Crotty’s 81st-minute try to rescue the All Blacks from defeat is seared into the consciousness of the Irish, with tomorrow’s starting full-back Ben Smith saying his side had learned a lot of lessons from that November day at the Aviva Stadium when Ireland led 22-7 at half-time but lost 24-22.

Hansen echoed that yesterday as he named his side for the sell-out game in Chicago, sending back rower Jerome Kaino into the second row to partner inexperienced Patrick Tuipulotu with regular locks Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick injured and Luke Romano forced to fly home on Tuesday following a family bereavement.