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20th November 2013
08:54pm GMT

The game has gone down in Munster and Irish rugby folklore. Christy Cantillon got the only try of the game, with Ward converting and slotting home two penalties, but the out-half says that two things in particular really stood out.
“The grace the All Blacks showed afterwards was incredible. They had been unbeaten all year and to lose to an Irish provincial side was a real blot in the copybook and they had a tough time at home subsequently, but were nothing but magnanimous in defeat.”
“The one things that perhaps gave us the most satisfaction was the fact that we kept them scoreless, which is a rare feat against any New Zealand side. To be nilled, from their perspective was most unusual and gave us huge sense of accomplishment.”
While it gave the five Munster players involved a huge fillip going into Ireland’s game against the All Blacks the following Saturday, and indeed the entire squad, the defeat in Limerick must have spurred the visitors on as they dug deep with a last minute try to edge a narrow 10-6 win.
Ward says that the team meet regularly for charity events and naturally most conversations turn back to that sunny winter’s day where 12,000 witnessed a stunning win, though conceded that they are currently on their longest drought from meeting up.
The pundit believes that in order for Ireland to have had any chance of victory on Sunday, a win over the Wallabies was crucial, but now it is a case of restoring pride after a disappointing outing last Saturday.
“Unfortunately I think to have had any chance of beating the All Blacks we needed to get the win over the Wallabies last Saturday.”
“New Zealand are simply too far ahead of everyone at this stage, but you’d never know. No one gave us a chance on the 31st of October 1978, but I wouldn’t be putting my house on an Irish win, not by a longshot.”
So head along to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre where you can be guaranteed of an Irish victory over the All Blacks. Another win on Sunday, and we will have a new set of history breaking heroes.
Alone It Stands comes to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre for one night only on Friday November 22nd. For more information click here.
Sports | Joe.ie
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