Pure class, from the figure of 8 at the haka, to Joe Schmidt apologising to his mam!

 

 Rory Best

So easy to write something this week, on the occasion of Ireland's first win over New Zealand, 111 years in the making! Ireland were pure class in everything they did on Saturday, starting with their formation for the haka, a figure of eight for Anthony Foley, with the Munster players at the front. Respect for Foley, respect for the haka,

Then from the kick off, they played a smart controlled, intelligent game. They played with passion, intensity, but with huge focus. They knew the drill for every play, lineout, maul, scrum, tackle, kick chase, kick defence. But they didn't play like robots either, they played what was in front, like Murray seeing the gap at the maul and sprinted through for his try.

It's hard to pick out anyone in particular, everyone played well, with scant regard for their own safety. A few players answered their critics - Kearney was imperious in the air, and it was his blistering break that set up Stander's try. Zebo, who can be inconsistent, was a model of consistency,  aerial skills second to none of his own, working hard, and using his kicking skills to perfection. Murray was world class, in a class of his own. And Robbie Henshaw, how good was his try, smashing through after a perfectly timed pass from Heaslip, settling the hearts of every Irish fan, after it all looked it was going snatched away again.

The All Blacks, like every team, start to crack when you put them under consistent intense pressure. They were light a lock, and their heads were just not quite there. Having said all that, they still nearly won, they're that good!

Anthony Foley would have loved to see this, and you have to feel for great players like BOD and POC who came so close but never got over the line.

A word for Andy Farrell, you can see his touch in our excellent defense.

New Zealand were gracious in defeat, from the players to their coach to their press, class.

And finally, Joe Schmidt, what a man, he's the master pulling the strings, orchestrating this win. He finished up his interview by apologising to mam for beating the All Blacks!

The only bum note was that awful diddly-eye fiddle for Ireland's call!

Wales had an awful afternoon, their players are so much better than that performance. And a big warning for Ireland that Australia are going to seriously hard to beat.

In the PRO12 there were forgettable evenings for Connacht and Ulster I'm afraid. Ulster's season is starting to go pear shaped.

Leinster got their away bonus point with some good debuts from young players. And Munster absolutely smashed the Ospreys. In this form they could go all the way in the PRO12, or the Champions Cup, or both.