Leinster and Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong recalls the significance of Ireland's first victory against the All Blacks in Chicago 2016 ahead of the 2022 Test in Auckland. He discusses the global allure of New Zealand rugby, the cultural weight of facing the All Blacks, and his personal 50-50 record against them. Furlong also pays tribute to former All Black prop Carl Hayman.
Memories of breakthrough victory against New Zealand a decade ago continue to inspire Leinster player Tadhg Furlong faces down the haka ahead of Ireland's 2022 Test match against the All Blacks at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inphoand three more in the 2017 Lions series. But, needless to say, it remains a game that never loses its appeal.
“No, no, no,” stressed Furlong at Ireland’s hotel base in Auckland. He is in the build-up phase to his 14th meeting with the All Blacks at their Eden Park fortress on Saturday .
“Look, you grow up and obviously some of the teams they had, some of the players they had, would have been like poster boys for rugby, no matter where you are – worldwide, really. , and Wexford’s a long way away from New Zealand. It just shows the influence of New Zealand rugby or the All Blacks jersey, that it had not just on rugby fans in New Zealand, but worldwide. ”“It’s also culturally important to New Zealand,” he adds.
“It’s part of rugby history, rugby culture. As much as it means to New Zealand, it’s also cool to face it. ” Remarkably, Furlong has a 50-50 win-loss record too, with five wins and five defeats in an Irish shirt along with one win, one draw and one loss with the Lions in 2017. But that first breakthrough win in November 2016 remains the highlight.
“Chicago was special, really. As a young fella, breaking through. It was my second start for Ireland. It was a bit of a surreal day.
It wasn’t just that we beat New Zealand for the first time; it was more the occasion, stadium, fans, euphoria of it all. It was class to be a part of. ” “I loved Carl Hayman. I’ve seen some stuff recently about him.
It’s sad to see. I wish him all the best, not that he needs my wishes. But even talking to some of the older props that would have scrummaged against him, they would have said how good he was. He took you on in a straight battle.
And then Tony Woodcock. That was my vintage growing up and watching New Zealand. Neemia Tialata. Remember him?
Big tighthead. ” There was an 111-year, 30-Test wait for that first ever win over the All Blacks in Chicago. It has since been trumped with two wins on New Zealand soil in Dunedin and Christchurch. Now comes the task of ending the All Blacks’ 52-match, 32-year unbeaten run at Eden Park.
“It’s crazy, isn’t it? ” said Furlong.
“It’s an unbelievable record. It’s one of those last standing, huge records in the world of sport, not just rugby. I can only imagine if we had that record at home, what it would be like playing there. It’s deadly.
” New Zealand have not been beaten at Eden Park, Auckland, since 1994. Ireland are the latest team to try to end the streak. Photograph: Craig Butland/MB Media/Getty Images Added focus has been placed on the Irish scrum of late and Furlong admits there have been issues on this tour.
“It was a bit messy in the first game to be fair, on our part. There’s certain stuff that we talked about going into the game that we didn’t necessarily deliver in-game. So that’s disappointing but it’s part of the process coming together and trying to get it right.
“After the South Africa game, it was particularly dark. I wouldn’t say it’s anywhere near that level, but we’re working hard. We’re working hard to get it right. ” There are other reasons for believing that Ireland’s best overall performance of this tour will be in this finale.
While Furlong and much of thecohort were relatively match-hardened, players from the other provinces had at least four blank weekends before departure and it had been three months since the last Irish camp.
“It’s a campaign where we came in and we had a lot of making up to do,” Furlong reminds us. “We were missing some experienced players in the squad, which is fair enough, and it’s great to get some promising young fellas through, even in front row and stuff like that. “There’s probably a block of players that hadn’t played much rugby in a good while.
I’d like to think we’re building nicely in terms of cohesiveness, in terms of sharpness, in terms of just rugby-playing ability on attack and defence because it’s week four now of proper team training where maybe there’s a gang of lads that hadn’t played in three, four weeks. Ireland need something special to cause a shock at New Zealand’s impenetrable fortressTipperary woman dies after hit-and-run in Belfast as man arrestedDisabled Ukrainian woman and husband challenge ‘unfair’ law leading to loss of benefitsLATEST STORIESDaniel Kinahan begins last appeal against extradition to Ireland
Please follow us on Google to support usTadhg Furlong Ireland Rugby All Blacks New Zealand Historic Win Eden Park Haka 2016 Chicago 2017 Lions Carl Hayman
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Chalk and cheese’: Jamison Gibson-Park says Ireland move transformed himScrumhalf is back in the familiar setting of Auckland ahead of Nations Championship showdown with the All Blacks
Read more »
Lidl urgently warns all Irish customers of health risk — 'do not eat'The supermarket has issued an urgent recall alert across Ireland and Northern Ireland
Read more »
New Zealand-Born Irish Players Set for Emotional Clash with All Blacks at Eden ParkIreland could field three New Zealand natives in their test against the All Blacks, ending a 32-year winning drought at Auckland's Eden Park. The personal journeys of Jamison Gibson-Park, Bundee Aki, and Tadhg Furlong-from growing up with All Blacks admiration to playing against them for Ireland-are central to the match's narrative.
Read more »
Ireland Team Announced for All Blacks Clash at Eden ParkIreland has named its starting lineup for the upcoming match against the All Blacks in Auckland, with notable returns for Robert Baloucoune, Sam Prendergast, and Jamison Gibson-Park. Hugo Keenan starts at full-back, while Tom O'Toole retains his place in the front row. Sean Jansen makes the bench after his debut last week. The team features the return of several key players, including Joe McCarthy, Dan Sheehan, and Tadhg Furlong, as Ireland look to secure a historic win against New Zealand.
Read more »