The rivalry between Ireland and the All Blacks has gone from non-existent to one of growing animosity over the past decade. That has mainly been due to the Ireland rugby team becoming increasingly competitive with the southern hemisphere side.
It's seven years since Ireland's first victory over the All Blacks and 15 months on from the last meeting between the teams when Andy Farrell's side won in Wellington to secure a 2-1 tour series victory.
They meet this weekend in a Rugby World Cup quarter-final, four years on from the All Blacks demolishing Ireland at the same stage in the competition.
9 July 2022; Dalton Papalii of New Zealand is tackled by Tadhg Beirne and Robbie Henshaw of the Ireland rugby team during the Steinlager Series match between the New Zealand and Ireland at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
"Rugby’s one of those games where when you go on the field, you go to beat the crap out of each other for 80 minutes, and when you step off it, you are very happy to grab a beer with your opposition and enjoy the moment afterwards. It is no different with New Zealand," Tadhg Beirne said on Wednesday when asked if Ireland and the All Blacks like each other.
"I remember after the last test when we had beaten them, we ran out of beer pretty quickly. But the New Zealand squad were quick to bring in their beer and leave us to continue celebrating. That’s respect too isn’t it?
"We know we are both going to go at each other for 80 minutes on Saturday, but we’d be very happy to walk into the changing room and have a beer with them, for sure."
8 September 2023; Aaron Smith of New Zealand leads the haka before the 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
All Blacks scrum-half Aaron Smith said this week that "there is a mutual respect" between the teams, "for sure jersey changes."
"Obviously there's a lot of experience in both groups, guys who have played each other a lot," Smith continued.
"So I'd say there would be a little bit of mingling but I think everyone knows the stakes of what is riding on this game. I know in 2019 it was quite good camaraderie afterwards, connecting. I wouldn't call it a hatred or anything like that. There is a definite mutual respect, two proud nations. Happiness and pain for how the result goes."
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster said earlier this week that the Irish team will probably fell like this is their best chance to win the Rugby World Cup.
"That’s been our goal for the last four years," said Beirne.
"We have put ourselves in a position to win it, but all that matters is Saturday because if we lose, we are obviously out. I genuinely do feel if we get everything right between now and Saturday and then put in an 80-minute performance, we will give ourselves every chance of getting through to the next round and then we’ll go from there."
See Also: All Blacks Legend Expects Ireland Attempt To 'Rattle' New Zealand Haka
