NZ praise Schmidt for outsmarting All Blacks
New Zealanders have been quick to find a way to celebrate Ireland’s historic Test win in Dublin, highlighting that the All Blacks loss was at least masterminded by a Kiwi. In a country where 20 percent of the population claim Irish ancestry, the All Blacks’ defeat was still seen by some as a win for New Zealand.
The 16-9 victory was the third time in the teams’ last three clashes that Ireland have won, and the first on home soil.
It was also the first time in 20 years that the All Blacks have been kept try-less and held to single figures in the same match.
But that was parked to one side as the New Zealand media highlighted headlines such as “Irish ‘import’ play pays off” and “Schmidt a Kiwi at heart”, referring to New Zealand born Ireland coach Joe Schmidt.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen led the praise, saying his reigning world champions were “beaten by a better team” and Schmidt’s Ireland deserved to be favourites for the World Cup in Japan next year.