Ireland have beaten New Zealand, 40-29! It’s the first win Ireland have ever achieved against the All Blacks.
The fixture dates back to 1905, and this was the 29th contest between the two sides. Ireland had drawn one game and lost the other 27.
The loss brings an end to the All Blacks’ amazing record. Also, it’s the All Blacks’ first defeat in 19 consecutive Tests. The 40 points is the most that Ireland has ever scored against the All Blacks and it’s also the third-highest points tally conceded by New Zealand in their history.
South Africa beat New Zealand 46-40 in 2000 and France beat them 43-31 in the 1999 Rugby World Cup semi-final. Even Australia, having played 158 Tests against the All Blacks, far more than any other country, hasn’t managed to score 40 or more points against the All Blacks.
The historic win took place at Soldier Field Stadium in Chicago. Before the game kicked off, Ireland staged a moving tribute to the late Anthony Foley. They formed a figure eight on the pitch, the legendary player’s jersey number, while facing the Haka.
In a twist, Foley’s father, Brendan, had actually been a part of that legendary Munster team that beat the All Blacks back in 1978, the first and, until now, only senior Irish men’s team to beat New Zealand.
The first half went Ireland’s way, with New Zealand succumbing to ill-discipline and a malfunctioning line-out. Ireland went into the break up 20-8. It wasn’t the first time in the fixture’s history that Ireland had led the All Blacks only to have the win taken away (during the most recent Test in 2013, Ireland were leading for the full 80 minutes before New Zealand clinched it in injury time).
New Zealand played much better in the second half and managed to reduce the deficit. But Ireland held out as the clock counted down and prevented the All Blacks from gaining a lead, and the ref blew his whistle to great Irish celebrations.
The win will have to go down as the greatest in the history of Irish rugby. Sure, the Grand Slams in 1948 and 2009 were very special, but to beat New Zealand, who are World Champions, and coming off a record 18 consecutive wins, it doesn’t get any better than that!
Ireland played superbly; every player can hold their heads high for contributing to the great day. It would be wrong to single out individual players, but Conor Murray deserves special mention for playing superbly for the full 80 minutes.
Joey Carvery also did very well on his first cap (amazing to think he was playing semi-professional rugby less than a year ago. Now he’s playing, and beating the best team in the world).
When he came on for the injured Jonny Sexton, who was also brilliant, in the last ten minutes, he handled himself like a seasoned pro, taking the huge occasion in his stride. He looks to be a star of the future.
New Zealand, like the champions they are, have been gracious in defeat. Both captain Keiran Read (who had said before the game that he didn’t want to be the first New Zealand captain to lose to Ireland) and coach Steve Hansen praised the Ireland performance.
All Black legends Sean Fitzpatrick, Doug Howlett and Dan Carter (who said before the Test that an Irish victory would be a miracle) have also lauded the Irish win.
A terrific victory for Ireland and a great day to be an Irish rugby fan!
cuw
Guest
it was a great result for rugger in general. best analogy i can give is INDIA beating WEST INDIES in the cricket world cup finals in 1983 and SRI LANKA beating Australia in 1996. i wonder how much of an advert it was for rugger in USA , tho. given their primary concentration was on Chicago cubs winning world series for 1st time in 108 years AND the coming election.
The Saint
Roar Guru
Im usually terribly bitter after an ABs loss. Not so after Chicago. Congrats to the Irish and all supporters.
The Saint
Roar Guru
Hrundi V Bakshi did you forget to take your medicine? Cheer up...You will feel better after a good night's rest.
The Saint
Roar Guru
Good read Declan. Congrats to your team - a well deserved win. I, too, had anticipated the ABs to win, and win handsomely. Ireland played smart rugby and outplayed my countrymen. The Dublin sequel is a must-watch.
Buk
Guest
Declan - congratulations on a great win. Did it in style with 5 tries - amazing. A truly outstanding performance. My Irish left foot was dancing a jig - while no doubt my cousies over there would be sinking a few :)
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Bet you feel great after that rubbish.
James in NZ
Guest
Well done mate. Sometimes a game feels like it is bigger than the players and the teams, where all the stars come into alignment and it is time. Like the Boks taking the 95' RWC final, or the Poms in 03' in extra time with a drop goal (momentous effort for Oz to be at that point too, that far back in the final) This game felt like one of those games. The no.8 tribute, the Munster connection, even the fact it was in shy town, with their one century drought being broken and their own Irish connection. Its all magical stuff. Cruden getting to take the final kick twice in Dublin to win the game felt wrong, Crotty the AB hero of Dublin going down early I thought was a sign history wasn't going to repeat. When we crawled the game back to 4 points, part of me didn't want to do the condescending, consoling that comes across as patronizing, as a AB fan to the vanquished. As our blessings runth over and frankly we take them for granted sometimes (but not now). So to my own surprise, I even found myself leaping up with joy when the final Irish try was scored, because allegiances aside, it was still an inspirational defiant final act. I'm sure its why we all love this game. Much, much respect to Irish rugby and its fans. Congrats again to Oz too.
Jacko
Guest
Loving the Pie Hyundi. Congrat to the irish for a magnificent effort and a fantastic historic win over my beloved ABs. Even Arrogant and Smug really loved watching the game and are looking forward to the next one in 2 weeks time. Smug did drink a bit much so he will be driving for the next match and I think he said he is bringing Hubris with him. Sadly humble was a bit off but is hoping to be fine in a few days and some of the old chaps forgot their medication but made more sense off it than on it.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Thanks and well written Declan ... it was indeed a great performance from the whole team, to a man. While it may be wrong to single out an individual in the Ireland team as all played extremely well, if is very difficult to ignore the contribution of your halfback. What a gem Conor Murray is. He has been in the forefront in disucssions of halfbacks for a number of years and it was a masterclass he put on last weekend in concert with his high ranking. An Irish team playing at the level they did for the full 80 mins deserves to be much higher up the rankings than 6th. Some talk about the staid way rugby is played in the Northern Hemisphere, a lot of that is probably justified. Yet in Chicago, Ireland played rugby as we, down-under 'expect it to be played'. It was fast paced, aggressive with a lot of ball movement and a great advertisement as to the entertainment that the rugby code can provide. Ireland scored 5 tries! Five tries against the much vaunted miserly defence of the All Blacks. Just a small point, the 40 points scored by Ireland on Saturday was the fourth equal highest scored against the All Blacks in history, in addition to the ones you had listed, France also prevailed over the All Blacks in 2000 42-33 and South Africa in 2004 were victorious 40-26. And you are correct in all the matches against Australia, the highest number of points they accumulated against their Trans-Tasman rivals in all games played was 35 points in 2000 but that was a loss 35-39. The highest winning score put on by the Wallabies against the All Blacks was in 2008, 34-19 Surely the great result on Saturday will provide the game with added interest if not stimulus in Ireland as it should. I have no doubt that the game will be played over and over as it should, it was really a fantastic result. Congratulations Declan on the win to you and all Irish fans, I can only assume tickets for the return match in a couple of weeks will sell out very quickly!
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Feel better?
Hrundi V. Bakshi
Guest
New Zealand, you are just too arrogant and smug for your own good. Time to eat some humble pie old chaps.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Declan: Could I just say as a Kiwi, thanks for a humble write on what for you and your Countrymen has been a momentous occasion as witnessed in what was a very, very, good win over the World Number one. To a man I would say that there'd be very likely no Kiwi rugby supporter who'd begrudge this magnificent win by the Irish boys as anything less than just that, ~ magnificent. I personally have mixed one way or another with a number of All Blacks over the years, having played sport with them and against them, worked with them and I feel sure I'd be correct in saying that through the general banter between rugbyites' etc usually over a few beers after a game of Lawn Bowls or on meeting up at various ''drinking Establishments'', ~ that of all the Countries they've toured and played in, Ireland was always described as being the best hands down in every aspect, friendly, competitive and general good vibe type of carry on, after game functions and just tripping around your delightful Emerald Isle. One very good ex All Black Halfback described to me and everyone that cared to listen the awesome times and functions and camaraderie that always took place touring in Ireland as an All Black and they, (All Blacks) thoroughly enjoy the absolute laid back attitude of the Irish folk in general, particularly the rugby variety. I have seen black and white photographs in Photo Albums of tours to the Home Countries and I could very easily deduce as to where the 'great times were', and some of the venues they had the privilege of spending time with your folk were just mind boggling. So thanks for beating us well at Soldier Field and although this tour is not broadcast here in Australia where I now live I am really looking forward to the return match even if I can't see it, I wish your Team well, ~ well, not too well!!! Cheers!