Hansen ups pressure on Irish coach ahead of heavily anticipated test

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has wound up pressure on his New Zealand‑born Ireland counterpart Joe Schmidt ahead of Sunday’s Test in Dublin between rugby’s top‑ranked teams, arguing the winner will be indisputably the best in the world.

The All Blacks have enjoyed an almost unbroken reign at No. 1 since rankings began and Ireland has climbed steadily to No. 2 under Schmidt, beating the All Blacks for the first time in 115 years with a victory in Chicago in 2016.

A year out from the ninth Rugby World Cup, the Test in Dublin offers rugby fans a sample of what a 2019 final could potentially look like.

Ireland won't overtake New Zealand for the No. 1 ranking even with a win on Sunday, but Hansen had a reason for suggesting they might take some favoritism into the World Cup from such a victory.

Ireland will face the All Blacks at 8am this Sunday.

[Source: TVNZ]