When exactly the All Blacks’ perspective towards Ireland shifted remains a topic for debate. Some purport it occurred during that memorable event at Soldier Field, Chicago in 2016, when Ireland triumphed over the All Blacks, marking a historic first.
Indeed, that victory altered the way the All Blacks perceived the Irish team. Previously considered a side that could build up pressure but could not bring it to a climax, they were now seen as finally attaining the psychological determination and physical strength required to seal the deal.
However, some were somewhat taken aback – in a somewhat disdainful, passive-aggressive manner – by Ireland’s extensive enjoyment of their victory. The All Blacks admired Ireland’s capability but perceived them as complainers who excessively celebrate their wins.
Indeed, teams excessively rejoicing in their victories – with the All Blacks perceiving themselves as the sole judicators of what amounts to an excessive celebration – has been a long-standing grievance.
The Australians were known for this behaviour, particularly in 2010 when they celebrated wildly after ending a sequence of nine consecutive losses. It is possible that the excessive celebrations of Ireland’s victory in Chicago reminded the All Blacks of the Australian side’s behaviour.
However, the argument is that it was during the game in Dublin two weeks later when the All Blacks’ opinion of Ireland became decidedly negative. The All Blacks had returned to seek revenge in this rematch, and they found it, winning 21-9 in what could arguably be the most savage game ever between the two teams.
The game was repeatedly breaking down into chaos – out of control collisions, high-neck grappling, high-level tackles, heated disputes, lingering glances, and an air of hostility. Robbie Henshaw had to be carried out of the field after an accidental head clash with Sam Cane, while All Blacks’ Malakai Fekitoa narrowly avoided being red-carded for a high tackle on Simon Zebo. If shown, it would have had a significant impact on the game – it was retroactively upgraded from a yellow flag at the judicial hearing.
Despite the All Blacks’ belief that they had met the intensity of the game head-on, they felt that Ireland had their share of questionable tactics. The New Zealand team was particularly irked by Johnny Sexton’s high-tackle on Beauden Barrett, which not only saw a try under the posts disallowed, but also Sexton dodging a yellow card.
The intensely fought match was seen by the All Blacks as a testament to both teams’ passion and willingness to play the edgier game. However, this sentiment wasn’t universal. Post-match, coach Steve Hansen felt cornered during an interview with RTÉ’s Clare MacNamara, who repeated a variant of the same query four times, leading Hansen to snap back, questioning her insinuation of the All Blacks’ gameplay.
Hansen’s frustration only escalated when he learnt that Ireland’s manager Mick Kearney claimed eleven All Blacks, not just Cane and Fekitoa, deserved to be called out. This reaction from Kearney soured Ireland’s victory for the All Blacks – they valued Ireland’s talent but took issue with what they saw as an overreaction to adversities. In fact, the All Blacks began to perceive them as complainers.
The tension between the teams, however, ignited some unforgettable matches, the most memorable being the quarter-final showdown in Paris. This victory was special for the All Blacks; it was the sweetest since their World Cup win in 2015.
A sense of resurgence surrounded this win, particularly since Ireland had dealt the All Blacks a substantial blow during their last encounter in July 2022. New Zealand were taught a rugby lesson in that game as various weaknesses were exploited ranging from their defensive strategies to their subpar driving maul defence and no apparent kicking strategy. The loss instigated a coaching shake-up within the All Blacks, resulting in the dismissal of two assistant coaches and nearly costing head coach Ian Foster his position.
In the series, there were always underlying tensions. Irishman Peter O’Mahony’s famous outburst at All Blacks captain Cane is worth recalling: “Who do you consider yourself? You’re a disappointing Richie McCaw mate.” There were incendiary incidents, such as a standoff between Sexton and All Blacks substitute hooker Dane Coles in Auckland, and Brodie Retallick’s fury when Andrew Porter’s forearm broke his cheekbone, a punch that earned him a yellow card because the All Blacks lock took the hit on his face.
The story of the series was shaped by Sexton’s truculent attitude towards the referees, constantly asserting his views on every verdict, and his propensity to exchange barbs with any All Black he deemed in need of his opinions. If you ask any All Blacks member confidentially about their views on Sexton, they affirm that he’s a proficient player and good company over a pint, but they’re not fond of his propensity to nag referees and commentary on the field.
When the All Blacks triumphed in Paris, Rieko Ioane did not exhibit sportsmanship; he exploited the situation to further taunt Sexton by insincerely wishing him an unhappy retirement. This action was petty, inappropriate, and against the ethos of All Blacks, but New Zealanders have been relatively lenient and empathetic since Sexton publicised these incidents in his biography.
Despite lacking in grace, it’s relatable and human. This incident adds a whole new dimension of intrigue to this Friday’s game, intriguing to see how the Dublin crowd and the players from both sides react to each other. This match already stood as a critical fixture for the All Blacks in an end-of-year itinerary that includes successive matches against England, Ireland, France, and Italy. The added layer of drama implies heightened pressure- an enhanced drive borne from the narratives leading to the game, and the collective anticipation that Ireland will present a challenge to the All Blacks like none they’ve faced this year.
The All Blacks – the rugby team that, despite winning seven of their ten matches in the current year, have yet to impress with their style of play – require this upcoming game against an immensely determined Ireland to truly assess their global standing. The New Zealand team needs to secure victory in a decidedly adversarial environment against a globally top-ranked Irish side, brimming with motivation, in order to affirm their ongoing progress.
The All Blacks found themselves contesting back-to-back games in South Africa earlier in the year. However, the impending single match in Dublin presents a possibly more challenging proposition. They’ll have to contend with the Irish outfit, known for matching South Africa’s proficiency in the game, and driven by a potent desire to rectify the previous year’s disappointments in Paris.