Tribute to ‘rock’ as Ireland shock All Blacks

Proud flanker CJ Stander admitted he could never have helped IRELAND make history against New Zealand without his rugby “rock” Anthony Foley.

Ireland ended their 111-year wait for a win over the All Blacks with a 40-29 success in Chicago.

Before Saturday’s game, Stander fronted Ireland’s figure-of-eight tribute formation to late Munster head coach Foley.

“He meant so much to me, he was really the rock in my rugby the last four years,” he said.

The 26-year-old stood alongside Conor Murray, Donnacha Ryan and Simon Zebo in the front line of Ireland’s tribute to Foley while New Zealand performed the Haka at Soldier Field.

Stander laid the credit for his Test match career at the feet of former Ireland captain and number eight Foley, who died last month aged 42.

Ireland’s first win over New Zealand – at the 29th attempt – came courtesy of tries from Stander, Jordi Murphy, Conor Murray, Simon Zebo and Robbie Henshaw.

Ireland host Canada in Dublin on Saturday.

Joe Schmidt’s men then face New Zealand again at the Aviva Stadium on November 19.

Meanwhile, Australia’s 12th successive victory over WALES was a 32-8 stroll that at times resembled an opposed training session.

Argentina are next up for Wales in six days, followed by Japan and South Africa.

“They (Australia) have been playing international rugby, we’ve been playing club (regional) rugby, but we’ve had a fortnight of training at international Test level, so we can’t use that as an excuse,” said Wales hooker Ken Owens.

Rohan Janse van Rensburg’s try earned South Africa a 31-31 draw with the BARBARIANS at Wembley after coming back from 31-19 behind.

Under-pressure Springboks coach Allister Coetzee fielded an inexperienced side as he looked for a strong performance from his charges ahead of next week’s clash with England following the 57-15 defeat to New Zealand in the Rugby Championship.

He was really the rock in my rugby the last four years. CJ STANDER ON ANTHONY FOLEY

Picture: Getty. New Zealand’s Joe Moody is downed by an inspired CJ Stander in Ireland’s 40-29 win over the All Blacks at Soldier Field in Chicago.