There was an electric atmosphere in the Aviva Stadium on Friday night, as Ireland and New Zealand were reunited under the lights in Dublin.
In recent years, this has become one of the most electric rivalries in world rugby, with a series of thrilling matches played out since Ireland's first victory over the All Blacks in Chicago in 2016.
Tickets for Friday night's game were like gold dust, with the home crowd roaring their approval for Ireland's challenge to the Haka minutes before kick-off.
However, one aspect of the pre-game buildup did not go down well with the All Blacks fans, with the New Zealand anthem seemingly cut short.
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Verse of New Zealand anthem seemingly missing ahead of Ireland v All Blacks
Rugby's pre-match rituals have been under the spotlight of late, and there was yet more controversy on Friday night at the Aviva Stadium.
After President Michael D Higgins greeted the two teams, the anthems were played. However, it was clear that something was wrong when some New Zealand players could be seen continuing to sing as the band finished playing.
It quickly became clear that a verse had apparently been cut from the New Zealand anthem. The anthem is part in English and part in Maori, leading to some variation in how many verses are traditionally sung.
Several New Zealand players, though, looked perplexed as the anthem concluded, showing that this was an unexpectedly short rendition of 'God Defend New Zealand.'
A quick glance at social media showed that fans were fuming at the perceived disrespect towards the visitors to the Aviva Stadium on Friday night.
Not by cutting New Zealand’s anthem. Did they? https://t.co/KjwOTQzIDo
— Jim Hamilton (@jimhamilton4) November 8, 2024
Did they just sommer only play half of the New Zealand anthem? 😂😂 The disrespect.
— Dylan Jack (@dylmjack) November 8, 2024
Why my boys in black The New Zealand All Blacks' Anthem only halfed? These Irish boys play 2x anthems and can't even have respect for another nation's full anthem.. same as English fans that don't respect the Haka 🤦🏻♂️
— LJ Dubz (@dubzdotcom) November 8, 2024
So they figured the New Zealand’s national anthem is too long for them😂😂😂😂 #IREvNZL
— Nathi (@mthinuay) November 8, 2024
That's it?! That's the New Zealand national anthem? Even the players were singing the Maori part first thinking the English one is coming
What is this?! #IREvNZL— The MDima Report (@TheMDimaReport) November 8, 2024
Only played half the new Zealand anthem there. They won't like that
— James Joyce (@jimmyjoycelad) November 8, 2024
The disrespect by the Irish Rugby Officials who cut the New Zealand anthem short. This is unacceptable#IrelandVSNewZealand#IreVsNZL
— Sonwabile (@Qoboqobo4) November 8, 2024
The unfortunate slip-up from the hosts on Friday came just under a week from another blunder by England in hosting the All Blacks.
Though the buildup to last week's game at Twickenham was dominated by Haka talk, it was again the treatment of the New Zealand anthem that drew the ire of many, with a pre-recorded version played before a live performance of 'God Save the King.'
It was something which Donncha O'Callaghan criticised in the week between the two games. On his podcast The Offload, O'Callaghan said:
Instead of poking fun at something that’s cultural and really important, [they need] to tidy up their own stuff.
I think England’s playing of the opposition’s anthems is absolutely disgraceful. They just play it really poorly, and they always have. Don’t turn the speakers up and just do poor renditions of it
You want to take the home advantage, but at least show [the visiting team] the decency of playing their anthem properly. I thought it was disgraceful on Saturday.
Unfortunately, Ireland now appear to have followed England in their perceived mistreatment of the New Zealand national anthem.
