The Haka is a trademark of the All Blacks. It's seen as one of the most intimidating sights in sports as a team stands across the field from some of the best players in the world performing the traditional Maori dance.
Seeing it live is a bucket list item for any rugby fan and we were treated to a moment for the ages in Cape Town at the World Rugby U20s Championship Bronze Final as New Zealand took on Ireland for a chance to claim third place in the Championship.
Both sides had disappointing defeats in the semifinals to France and England and were both pumped up and ready to go for a chance to claim a medal. That intensity was shown in the Haka as the New Zealand U20s, known as the Baby Blacks performed their Haka before the match and followed it up with an intense stare down with the Irish team.
Neither side flinched as the tension built and built, withe the stand-off even continuing after the referee blew his whistle to try get them both to get ready.
If you watch one thing today, watch this...
The final Haka of the tournament for @NZRugby turn's into the ultimate stare down 😮#WorldRugbyU20s | #IREvNZL pic.twitter.com/fqBvTpz66M
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) July 19, 2024
The match eventually got underway and it was Ireland that would come out of the blocks firing as they played superb first half.
They looked dangerous every time they had possession and the drew first blood just after ten minutes when scrum-half Oliver Coffey sniped around the edge of teh ruck to get himself another try after opening the scoring against England as well last weekend.
Ireland U20s looked on top in both attack and defence as they held New Zealand out while probably feeling like they should've taken more opportunities of their own to extend their lead.
They'd eventually extend their lead through Jack Murphy after the now Ulster man was able to stay in play and score after a mazy run from the brilliant Ben O'Connor.
That's how you open the scoring! 🔥
Jack Murphy dives over for @IrishRugby ☘️
You can watch all the action for FREE on RugbyPassTV 📺#WorldRugbyU20s | #IREvNZL pic.twitter.com/eb7vfXYO6a
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) July 19, 2024
However, New Zealand were able to sneak a try in through their captain Vernon Bason just before the break and that would be the momentum killer for Ireland.
As the heavens opened up and the rain was falling down the second half was nothing but frustrating for Ireland U20s as they struggled to curtail the Kiwi momentum and couldn't get out of their own half.
The Baby Blacks ran in two tries to start the second to gain the lead for the first time in the match and they didn't look back from there.
They are turning on the heat here! 🔥
Frank Vaenuku makes sure to get this name on the score sheet for @NZRugby 🇳🇿#WorldRugbyU20s | #IREvNZL pic.twitter.com/1UV3Ms4PSp
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) July 19, 2024
More and more scores came raining in for New Zealand as Ireland's chances of victory became slimmer and slimmer. The lead got as much as 38-12 to New Zealand as the match was pretty much all but done before Ethan Graham and Sean Naughton were able to run in two consolation scores at the end for Ireland U20s to soften the scoreline.
It wasn't to be but this was another incredible run for this Ireland U20s group. A number of the players were involved last year and there's another group of players who'll surely be involved next year as well.
Ireland is in a golden generation in U20s rugby at this time and hopefully these players can come through into their provincial teams next season. The likes of Hugh Gavin, Brian Gleeson and Ben O'Connor look lie they could be real players in the senior game next season so hopefully we can see them get more opportunities.
