Wounded New Zealand face race to regroup for Ireland rematch in Dublin | Brendan Fanning

Nov 06, 2016

Ireland emphatically had the measure of the All Blacks in all the key areas in Chicago and, with more preparation and fine-tuning, could make it two in a row when they meet again on 19 November

When the close-to-capacity crowd at Soldier Field were subjected to the caterwauling version of Ireland’s Call, played with a bit of blarney on a violin, the day seemed to be heading only south. Moments later it was yanked back and pointed upwards, with the Ireland players facing the haka by forming a perfect figure of eight in memory of Anthony Foley. It was one of the great rescue acts. And not the last on a remarkable day.

What followed was a classic Test match, not for its low error count or non-stop action – there were lots of spills and the whole thing took an age to complete – but for the way it developed into a familiar and gripping theme: underdogs set the pace, and then are visibly running out of energy as they are chased down. The history of the fixture only heightened the prize.

Tags: Autumn internationals Ireland rugby union team New Zealand rugby union team Rugby union Sport