The Haka is one of the most popular traditions in modern rugby, and with the way it has intimated opposition teams in the past, it is always interesting to see how those sides approach it. Ireland have been involved in some memorable instances of opposition down through the years, something that hasn't always resulted in positive results against New Zealand.
For this year's Rugby World Cup quarter-final, you always got the sense that the Irish team would have something up their sleeve.
As it turns out, they would return to perhaps their most famous Haka response, one that pays homage to a Munster and Ireland legend.
The meeting between Ireland and New Zealand in Chicago in 2016 is fondly remembered as the first occasion that an Irish side had managed to defeat the All Blacks, with their actions before that game also burned into our memories. As they lined up to face the Haka, the team would make the shape of an '8', paying tribute to Axel Foley who had passed away just over two weeks before that.
Ireland pay tribute to Anthony Foley during New Zealand Haka
Foley would suddenly pass away in Paris on October 16th 2016, with this coming Monday marking the anniversary of his death.
With the French city also the host for tonight's meeting with New Zealand, Ireland took the opportunity to once again pay their respects to the great man.
As the All Blacks lined up for the Haka, the players stood respectively in a figure '8' formation. It was a chilling moment.
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗔 𝗠𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧!
The Irish squad stand in an 8 formation to face the Haka, just like they did at Soldier Field in 2016 in memory of the late Anthony Foley. ☘️#IREvNZL | #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/NIgzly6fiv— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 14, 2023
Brilliant.
The Ireland fans would also make their voices known during this period, belting out The Fields of Athenry at the Stade de France.
It was certainly a start befitting of what is a monumental occasion for Irish rugby. It seems only right that one of the legends of the game in this country was remembered on such a day.
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