How Ireland Made History With Series Win Against the All Blacks?

When ranking the greatest achievements in the sport’s storied history, it will be hard not to mention the Irish rugby team’s test series win over the All Blacks last month as one of the most significant. Ireland hadn’t come close to sniffing a series victory against the game’s most successful nation in decades past – and after suffering a 42-19 defeat in their first game at Eden Park on July 2^nd – it appeared as though they were going to have to wait a little while yet before lifting that elusive Steinlager Series trophy.

However, the visitors managed to put any disappointment from their Auckland performance behind them and overcome the bet online odds, reigning supreme in the remaining two fixtures in Dunedin (23-12) and Wellington (32-22) to take the series 2-1.

Although the Irish were strong at the set-piece and played largely mistake-free rugby, it was their new and improved offensive brand of play that gave their opponents the most trouble. In what is considered to be a tactic synonymous with southern hemisphere rugby nations, the Irish often chose to kick to the corner rather than opting for points when awarded a penalty.

That consistent pressure coupled with their willingness to spread the ball tired the unusually disjointed New Zealand forward pack and backline considerably, often ending in tries to the Andy Farrell-coached side as a result. Additionally, the Irish were relentless at the breakdown and with their support played in and around the ruck – forcing the notoriously disciplined All Blacks outfit to play desperate and uncharacteristically at times.

With Ireland’s triumph, they became just the third nation to win a test series on kiwi soil – and in doing so – they ultimately ensured they leapfrogged France to become the number one ranked team in international rugby at the time of writing.

Farrell commended his side’s efforts, noting that there is something special that exists within this current crop of players.

“This is a special group, to come over here and achieve what they’ve achieved, it won’t be done again – especially knowing what we know that’s going to happen in the next few years anyway,” Farrell said.

“This is probably the toughest thing to do in world rugby.

“We came over here with a task in hand and went for it. There’s a group of 40 players and a lot of staff, we said it was going to be the start of our World Cup year – I think it’s a bit bigger than that.”

While Farrell highlighted his squad’s toughness and resilience throughout what was an incredibly taxing series, his captain Johnny Sexton chose to focus on the enormous positive impact his coach has had on the playing group.

“It’s clear how much belief there is in the team and it starts with the main man [Andy Farrell],” he said.

“He was brave at the start, he stuck with some of the older lads and got criticized. He brought in some younger lads and he’s just done an amazing job. It’s all credit to him.”

With such a monumental series win now under their belt, Ireland will be hoping to maintain their rich vein of form as they prepare for a grueling three-match autumn schedule against Fiji, Australia and 2019 Rugby World Cup winners South Africa. If they can perform well in the aforementioned November fixtures, it will go a long in helping them prepare for a monumental 2023 which includes both the Six Nations and the Rugby World Cup.