ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Munster vs the All Blacks - Haka & tries

BY Grant Constable  ·  Friday Nov 21, 2008

Munster vs the All Blacks - Haka & tries


After a 30 year absence, the All Blacks returned to Limerick to take on Munster once again, the side that so famously beat them 12-0 in 1978. This time around though, it was the men from New Zealand who came out on top, avenging defeat with a hard-fought 18-16 win after Joe Rokocokos late try helped them avoid a historic repeat.

The legend of the tale was done justice on Tuesday night as the 2008 version produced as much splendour and atmosphere as that famous day three decades ago.

A packed Thomond Park cheered for absolutely everything, starting when the match ball was delivered by helicopter to the 1978 captain Donal Canniffe, and rose as one to acknowledge the feat achieved by the heroic team of yesteryear.

The game itself had all the drama and intensity all were expecting to see. Munster were ahead at half time, and looked like they could make history yet again, but the late try sealed the famous victory for the unbeaten tourists.

As the two sides lined up before kickoff, Munster prepared to face the Haka, but we saw something quite unique, and a pretty special moment in the history of the game.

The Kiwis of the Munster side, Rua Tipoki, Lifeimi Mafi, Doug Howlett and reserve back Jeremy Manning, all stepped forward and laid down the Haka as a challenge to the All Blacks, before they responded themselves.

They were backed by their Munster teamates, and the noise in the crowd was deafening. Munster captain Mick ODriscoll said it was an honour for his team to be part of this historic pre-match ritual.

“Rua in particular, and I don’t like singling any of them out, but speaking to Rua he is probably one of the proudest men you will ever meet,” O’Driscoll said. “And I think it is something he wanted to do so we all rolled in behind him.”

“As a Kiwi boy you grow up dreaming as soon as you pick up a rugby ball that you can play for the All Blacks one day and as a Maori, you know, do the haka for the All Blacks,” said Tipoki.

“I got asked if we could represent our team and we were wary because Munster has already such a rich culture and tradition that we were not just going to come here and place our stamp on here and have people who have supported Munster for years and lived Munster and played for Munster and thought what are these guys doing.

“It was something that everyone we spoke to wanted us to do and we did it on behalf of our team and they supported us. It was a special moment in my career and I will always remember it.”

All Blacks No 8 Liam Messam was himself full of praise for Tipoki and the gesture, saying it was awesome, clapping and nodding his approval afterwards.

“I just wanted to pay my respects to Rua because he was the senior player and used to be my captain in the Maoris and I wanted to show my respect to him in his home game.”




Time: 02:27

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 77 WEEKS AGO

    Breaking down the greatest year of international...

  • 258 WEEKS AGO

    scottish prop saves fire victim

  • 262 WEEKS AGO

    New Rugby X tournament insane



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Harlequins winger heralded as the next big England breakthrough after weekend's performance

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Fans call for Stuart Hogg to face punishment after altercation involving ball boy

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

View All

Funnies

  • 17 HOURS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    ‘Pitch is made of concrete’ - Fan provides much needed update following half time incident

View All

Amateur

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been horrible' - Wales captain to miss Autumn Nations

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'It was an easy decision for me' - Saints star commits to future

View All