111 years of pain - Victory in Chicago for Ireland !!!

[OnDoutside]

For the first time in 111 years of trying, Ireland have just beaten New Zealand All Blacks 40-29 in Rugby Union, ironically in the same city as the Cubs, Chicago ! Soldier Field was a sea of Green as Ireland withstood an All Black onslaught to end worthy winners !

Autumn international


Ireland (25) 40
Tries: Murphy, Stander, Murray, Zebo, Henshaw Cons: Sexton 2, Carbery Pens: Sexton 2, Murray
New Zealand (8) 29
Tries: Moala, Perenara, B Smith, S Barrett Cons: B Barrett 3 Pen: B Barrett

Ireland produced a stunning display to record a first ever win over New Zealand at the 29th attempt and end the All Blacks' run of 18 straight wins.

Tries from Jordi Murphy, CJ Stander and Conor Murray helped the Irish to a 25-8 half-time lead, then Simon Zebo scored his side's fourth try in the corner.

The world champions fought back to move to within four points but Robbie Henshaw's late try ensured the victory.

The sides will meet in another Test match in Dublin in two weeks' time.

Irish land historic win

This was Ireland's first success over the Kiwis in 111 years and it came about in sensational fashion as Joe Schmidt's men repelled a stirring second-half comeback by Steve Hansen's side.

TJ Perenara, Ben Smith and Scott Barrett added to George Mola's first-half try for the New Zealanders but despite some sustained late pressure, they fell short for the first time in their past 19 encounters with top-tier nations.

The match was the first of four autumn internationals for both sides, played in front of a capacity crowd of 60,000 at Soldier Field in Chicago, a venue chosen in an attempt to increase the exposure of the sport.

Ireland fired by Foley memory

From the start, the Irish effort appeared to be fuelled by the memory of former international and Munster head coach Anthony Foley, who died suddenly last month.

Prior to kick-off Ireland lined up in the shape of a number eight, the jersey worn with distinction by Foley for many years, while their opponents performed their traditional pre-match haka.

Ireland made light of the aura of invincibility surrounding the three-time world champions in a first half which they mostly dominated to go in 25-8 to the good at the break.

Schmidt's side produced a performance of accuracy, purpose, pace and skill as they denied the All Blacks quality possession and repeatedly frustrated their efforts to win their own line-outs.

The Irish display bore echoes of the Test between the sides in Dublin in November 2013 when they built up a 19-0 lead, before ultimately losing 24-22 after conceding a last-gasp converted try, but there was to be no repeat of that outcome this time.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/37886601

[malaise]

1. This is huge!

Bravo

[OnDoutside]

2. Thanks ! We've been so close in the last few years, it's fantastic to finally get there. I hope

Chicago have received replenished beer stocks !

[a kennedy]

3. Should have mentioned a spoiler alert, my sports channel is just showing it now......

But happy the Irish won.

[OnDoutside]

4. Oops sorry, didn't realize there would be any interest here !

[Lucinda]

5. Excellent!

[OnDoutside]

6. Some extra pics from the game AND the All Blacks Haka video

Donnacha Ryan


Here are the ABs doing the Haka, but just to point out, the Irish team are lined up to represent the number 8, in honour of a Munster and Ireland legend, Anthony Foley who died recently at the young age of 42.

https://twitter.com/btsportrugby/status/794994988648112128

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[OnDoutside]

7. Full game here ->