US presidential election 2016: Barack Obama’s right-hand man Joe Biden congratulates secret cousin Rob Kearney on Ireland’s first ever win over the mighty All Blacks

Nov 06, 2016

BARACK OBAMA’S right-hand man Joe Biden congratulated his secret cousin Rob Kearney after Ireland’s superb 40-29 win over the All Blacks.

The shock Chicago victory was felt in the White House as USA vice president Biden tweeted his congrats to Joe Schmidt’s men – but in particular to relative and full-back Keaney.

Rob Kearney and Jamie Heaslip celebrate arguably the greatest victory in the history of Irish rugby

Biden, one of the most powerful men in the world, tweeted: “Congrats to cousin @KearneyRob on behalf of the Bidens. @IrishRugby’s 1st win over New Zealand in 111 years. History made again in Chicago.”

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Ireland broke their 28-game hoodoo against double World Cup winners New Zealand in style at Soldier Field.

And former England boss and World Cup winner Clive Woodward believes the marker laid down by Ireland proves that Warren Gatland’s Lions can go to the southern hemisphere with confidence next summer.

After leading the Lions during a nightmare whitewash tour of 2005, Woodward tweeted: “Brilliant, totally brilliant – this result sets up Lions, confirms as many believe All Blacks getting carried away with their own publicity.”