Outside of test internationals, there are few games in rugby steeped in more tradition than any meeting of Munster and the All Blacks.
Though the days of the two sides selecting full-strength XVs for this fixture are sadly gone, this weekend's clash in Thomond Park did nonetheless sell out rapidly after its announcement.
Excitement was high in Limerick for Saturday's game, the first visit of a New Zealand side to Limerick since the Maori All Blacks in 2016.
It has been a difficult week for Munster, with the bombshell departure of Graham Rowntree as head coach landing just days before the main event - however, the visit of an All Blacks XV was always going to get the home crowd going.
Despite the absence of some of Munster's big hitters, the likes of Peter O'Mahony, Diarmuid Barron and Mike Haley were all named in the starting XV.
As kick-off approached, the excitement for the haka built with the anticipation for the game. The 2008 game had seen Munster's New Zealand contingent of Doug Howlett, Rua Tipoki, Lifeimi Mafi and Jeremy Manning challenge the All Blacks with their own haka, in one of the most iconic images of modern Irish rugby.
The response of the Munster fans to the All Blacks' haka on Saturday evening did not disappoint.
READ HERE: Rassie Erasmus Confirms Fears Many Fans Had About His Time In Munster
READ HERE: Ranking The 10 Best Ever Challenges To The Haka
Thomond Park roars in response to the Haka
The haka is a spectacle no matter the setting but there are few better than a wintry night in Thomond Park.
As the smoke from the pre-match flames and fireworks hung over the pitch, one could hear a pin drop in the stadium as the New Zealand team began their ritual.
The respect from the home crowd to the haka was impeccable, before a trademark Thomond roar met its conclusion to ramp up the energy ahead of kick-off.
The Haka in Thomond Park for Munster vs AllBlacks XV #rugby #NewZealand pic.twitter.com/OMUZykZcy0
— Stephen Gleeson (@StephenGleeson_) November 2, 2024
View this post on Instagram
Saturday evening's hotly-anticipated showdown was shown exclusively on Munster's in-house streaming service 'Access Munster' - though many fans regrettably struggled to login as technical issues plagued the site ahead of kick-off.
This unfortunately meant that many fans watching from afar missed the spectacle of the haka as it happened.
Munster Rugby acknowledged the issues on social media, encouraging fans to reach out for technical assistance.
If you are having issues accessing the live stream, please email [email protected] & we will endeavour to assist you as quickly as possible.#MUNvABXV | #SUAF 🔴
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) November 2, 2024
Despite the electric atmosphere, it was a difficult start for Munster, who found themselves 14-0 down after half an hour against the All Blacks.
