Five Dublin classics
1963: Ireland 5 New Zealand 6
Only the fourth time the countries ever met and Ireland, captained by Tom Kiernan, came very close, only running out of steam in the final quarter. Clontarf wing Jimmy Fortune scored a converted try after good work by Alan Duggan and Jerry Walsh. New Zealand replied with a try by Kel Tremain but Ireland led 5-3 until midway through the second half when Don Clarke clinched the issue with a long-range penalty. Otherwise the game was notable for the first locking of horns between a young Willie John McBride, in his first season of international rugby, and Colin Meads who was already a long way down the road to becoming an All Black legend.
1973: Ireland 10 New Zealand 10
Prior to last Saturday this was the closest Ireland had ever come to victory over New Zealand, indeed there are those who feel they did actually win this game, claiming that Barry McGann’s last-minute touchline conversion of Johnny Moloney’s try, which levelled up the scores, actually went over. McGann himself remains convinced: “I am as certain as you can be it was over and always have been,” he insists. “When you spend most of your rugby life kicking goals you get a feel for these things and my gut instinct was always that the kick was good. I can still picture it clearly, it’s not exactly a thing you forget.”
1978: Ireland 6 New Zealand 10
Another worthy but unsuccessful effort from Ireland with the All Blacks seemingly vulnerable just four days after Munster’s famous win at Thomond Park. Four of the Munster side were on duty again and for much of the match another upset looked likely. It was 3-3 at halftime with a Tony Ward penalty cancelled out by a Doug Bruce dropped goal. The New Zealand fly-half added another soon after half-time but again Ward replied with a penalty. Eventually the Kiwis sealed it with a late try by hooker Andy Dalton after a break by Mark Donaldson.
2001: Ireland 29 New Zealand 40 2014: Ireland 22 New Zealand 24:
So close. Ireland went into a 22-7 halftime lead with tries from Rob Kearney, Conor Murray and Rory Best. New Zealand responded strongly after the break with tries by Ben Franks and Julian Savea but Ireland steadied the ship and, five points up, had the opportunity to close the game out with three minutes left with a comparatively easy penalty attempt by Jonny Sexton. The Leinsterman missed and then Ireland were caught out playing keep-ball when Jack McGrath was penalised for going off his feet. New Zealand attacked remorselessly running the ball through the phases and Ryan Crotty plunged over. Aaron Cruden converted from the touchline at the second attempt. Richie McCaw’s debut match and the young flanker gave a MoM performance. But to start with it all went horribly wrong for New Zealand as Ireland, inspired by one of Anthony Foley’s best ever performances in a green shirt, raced into a 21-7 lead. Denis Hickie, Eric Millar and Kevin Maggs all scored and fleetingly there was a chance for David Wallace to increase the lead further. New Zealand began the fightback, though, through a counter-attacking try from Jonah Lomu and broke Irish hearts by overwhelming Ireland in the final quarter with four further tries, from Chris Jack, Reuben Thorne, Aaron Mauger and Dougie Howlett.