Another Post-100 year wait goes down in Chicago!

[JohnS]

Well...what a great Sunday Morning! Firstly, Australia actually won a Rugby Union game 32-8 against Wales. It's a pity no-one in Australia saw it, whether on Free-to-Air or Pay-TV. Then Australia defeated New Zealand in the Four Nations Rugby League Tournament in the UK, 14-8, a game that went down to the wire !

However, I reserve my greatest joy for our dear Irish brothers and sisters who have waited 111 years for their Rugby Union team to defeat the New Zealand All Blacks. Well, it happened today in Chicago 40-29. And what a victory it was! After 18 consecutive test wins, the All Blacks went down. Oh what joy for an Australian Wallaby (the moniker of the Australian Rugby Union team) supporter such as myself!

Chris Rattue, the New Zealand Herald Sports Columnist, actually predicted an Irish victory two days ago! If anyone knows him, request lotto numbers!

So how good must it be to be in Chicago right now? Cubs win after 108 years, then to top it off, Ireland beat New Zealand in Rugby Union after 111 years. With the large population of Irish-descendant Americans, surely "Irish eyes are smiling!"

But my favourite news event this morning is the Wikipedia article on the history of Ireland and New Zealand in Rugby Union. The first paragraph reads thusly...

"The New Zealand All Blacks first played against Ireland in 1905, beating them 15–0 at Lansdowne Road, Dublin. The two teams have played a total of 29 Test matches, with the All Blacks winning 27 of them. In 2016 Ireland beat the All-Blacks for the first time ever in Chicago. The draw was in 1973 where Ireland and New Zealand drew 10-10 with Ireland scoring 2 penalties and a try, to the All Blacks 2 tries and 1 conversion (A try was worth four points in 1973). During the 2012 Irish Tour of New Zealand, New Zealand won all 3 tests having scored 124 points to Ireland's 29. This tour also saw New Zealand score the biggest winning margin against Ireland in their History. This was due to the 60-0 win New Zealand achieved in the 3rd Test on the 23 June 2012. On the 24 November 2013, Ireland were leading 22-17 against New Zealand in the final minute of the match, and on the verge of their first ever win over New Zealand. Ireland had possession of the ball, but gave up a penalty with under 30 seconds remaining, which ultimately led to New Zealand working their way up the field, ending in the match tieing try for Ryan Crotty with over 82 minutes on the clock. The try was converted at the second time of asking, handing the All Blacks their perfect season.

Ireland finally ended a 111 year wait for a victory in Soldier Field, Chicago with a 40-29 victory on 5 November 2016, mere days after the hometown Cubs won their first World Series in 108 years."

Kudos to the fellow who edited it this morning henceforth...

"Ireland have a 100% winning streak against the All Black's winning every game in November 2016 in the two teams long history of competition (Ireland are the best they beat them on the 5th of November 2016 so who cares)

The New Zealand All Blacks first played against Ireland in 1905, beating them 15–0 at Lansdowne Road, Dublin. The two teams have played a total of 29 Test matches, with the All Blacks winning 27 of them. In 2016 Ireland beat the All-Blacks for the first time ever in Chicago. The draw was in 1973 where Ireland and New Zealand drew 10-10 with Ireland scoring 2 penalties and a try, to the All Blacks 2 tries and 1 conversion (A try was worth four points in 1973). During the 2012 Irish Tour of New Zealand, New Zealand won all 3 tests having scored 124 points to Ireland's 29. This tour also saw New Zealand score the biggest winning margin against Ireland in their History. This was due to the 60-0 win New Zealand achieved in the 3rd Test on the 23 June 2012. On the 24 November 2013, Ireland were leading 22-17 against New Zealand in the final minute of the match, and on the verge of their first ever win over New Zealand. Ireland had possession of the ball, but gave up a penalty with under 30 seconds remaining, which ultimately led to New Zealand working their way up the field, ending in the match tieing try for Ryan Crotty with over 82 minutes on the clock. The try was converted at the second time of asking, handing the All Blacks their perfect season."

[clutch5150]

While I'm not home with family in Chicago, they tell me they are STILL partying nightly downtown!

 

[gweilgi]

Éirinn go Brách!!!

If there is a sober Irishman left in Eire today, he must be in a coma....

What a lovely perfect send-off for Foley.....

 

 

[Ryan]

It was great stuff. Great performance. Finally!

[Joshtupps]

Sensational rugby....the look on the faces of the All Blacks was delightful! Well played Ireland, very much deserved.