Rugby is New Zealand’s national sport, so it may come as no surprise that the All Blacks are internationally recognized as the crème de la crème of rugby teams. So imagine the surprise for rugby fans around the world when Ireland recently won against the All Blacks on Kiwi soil, earlier this month. We look at the amazing achievement of the team sometimes affectionately called the Shamrocks.
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For sports fans everywhere, the three-test series Ireland played against New Zealand has got to be one for the history books. As part of the mid-year rugby union internationals, Ireland went to visit the Kiwis to play three games. Their first tour of New Zealand since 2012, and the first time both teams had met since last year, there was a lot riding on who would win overall and because of this, many sports fans decided to have a flutter.
One fan even bet $100,000 on the All Blacks to win. Perhaps if they had done a middle they would have won some money regardless of which team won. Being able to bet online with bet365 or other reputable sites meant that sports fans could bet at a time convenient to them, even if it was during the live-streaming of the games. Either way, few could have predicted the outcome.
The first test match took place at Auckland’s Eden Park, on 9th July, a place where the All Blacks have not lost a rugby game in 28 years. The All Blacks continued this winning streak by comfortably romping home, having won 42-19 against their Irish visitors. But it was in the second test when the luck of the Irish, a phenomenon discussed in the irishpost.com began to shine on the Ireland team, with them winning 23-12 against the All Blacks in Dunedin.
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Now both formidable sides had equally won a game, the third test was going to be crunch time. Neither side wanting to lose, both bore down and got down to business. Unfortunately, as with all competitions, there has to be a winner and loser, and this case is no different. Ireland beat the New Zealanders 32-22 in the third test at Wellington, making it a victorious 2-1 series for the Shamrocks.
Ireland are now in an elite group of countries that have beaten the New Zealand allblacks.com on their home turf. They join Australia, England, France and South Africa, making them only the fifth country to have such an accolade. This is a fantastic feat when you consider the All Blacks have played an incredible 62 series, and losing to the Irish was only the fifth time they have lost. The last time they were beaten was against France in 1994.
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The luck of the Irish surely rained down on the Ireland rugby team as they played the mighty All Blacks. Who would have thought they would beat such a formidable team on their home turf? There are rumors the All Blacks are finding it hard to get back to their level best, having lost four of their last five tests. But this in no way knocks the ability of the Irish team, who have played excellently to get where they are.
If this test series doesn’t show people anything else, it’s that nothing is impossible with a bit of hard work and determination.