Why does Ireland beating the All Black mean so much? Sure, there's the 111 years. But it's not just the terrible delineation of time. It's the humiliating defeats that Ireland have had to endure at New Zealand. 63-15 in '97. 40-8 in '02. 45-7 in '05. 66-28 in '10. 42-10 in '12. 60-0 also in '12.
Speaking of that 60-0, one person who hasn't forgot that is Donnacha Ryan. As Ireland were preparing to embark on their victory lap after beating the All Blacks, Ryan was heard on a live mic saying the following soon-to-be-famous words -
'Very slowly. Walk very slowly. I've been waiting. 60 points to nil.
Back in June of 2012, Ireland lost a heartbreaker to the All Blacks in Christchurch 22-19. Ireland were immense that day, and the impossible seemed possibly but Dan Carter beat Ireland with an 81st minute drop goal.
The next weekend in Hamilton, the All Blacks utterly destroyed a tired Ireland team 60-0.
Donnacha Ryan played every minute of that tour. His career was nearly ended by injury afterwards, but today he played on the first Ireland team to beat the All Blacks. He was clearly motivated by the humiliation of that hiding in Hamilton.
And so you can understand why he was taking his time with his victory lap around Soldier Field.
Take a lap of honour around Soldier Field with your @IrishRugby heroes.#IREvNZL https://t.co/uq802R15HE
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) November 5, 2016
