For now, at least, New Zealand hold the upper hand in their rivalry with Ireland, taking it back with aplomb after the pain of their home series defeat last summer.
Not only had Ireland seriously damaged New Zealand's pride by venturing Down Under and beating them on their home turf, but they did so in style, and weren't afraid to rub it in.
Ireland did not shy away from trash-talk, with Peter O'Mahony's words to Sam Cane during the series making headlines, after he called the All Blacks captain a 'shit Richie McCaw.
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New Zealand Captain Sam Cane Gets Revenge For Ireland flanker Peter O'Mahony Comment last summer
All Blacks skipper Sam Cane was asked post-game in Paris about last year's Ireland thrash-talking in Wellington. #IREvNZL #RWC2023 #AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/sH73gPtumY
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 15, 2023
14 October 2023; Hugo Keenan of Ireland evades the tackle of Aaron Smith and Sam Cane of New Zealand during the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
READ HERE: Matt Williams & Shane Horgan Disagree Over Whether Andy Farrell Call Cost Ireland Vs All Blacks
Cane dished out the ultimate revenge to O'Mahony and Ireland, by producing a superb all-action performance in yesterday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final, and, alongside POTM Ardie Savea, outplaying the Irish back row.
After the game, Cane was asked whether O'Mahony's words served as motivation for the performance, with Cane insisting that the All Blacks were not going to 'buy into' any Irish sledging.
“No motivation from that. We know they have got a few players who love to get a bit, try to get under your skin, I suppose, with tactics like that.
“We went into the game knowing that they were going to be like that, but consciously focused on just sticking to our jobs and just executing our stuff. And, yeah, we didn't buy into it. I suppose.”
SEE ALSO: Johnny Sexton Involved In Angry Exchange With Rieko Ioane After Ireland Loss To All Blacks
