Munster V All Blacks

Munster V All Blacks Thomond, Uploaded by M+MD.

In a week's time in Thomond Park we will have the reply of the famous game of 30 years ago. I hope to be there. I wasn't there the first day - but I do have a ticket from that match. It's a pity that the Munster team will not have any of the international squad present - that's understandable I suppose. But maybe that's a key ingredient needed for a memorable game. I think that the All Blacks still have the scars from that game. While they have suffered few humiliations in their career, the Munster defeat in 1978 must be up there with losing to Australia in Dublin in the world cup semi final in 1993 or losing to France in the Final last year.

Munster All Blacks Musgrave, Uploaded by M+MD.

Its hard to believe that the fixture has only been played once since that famous day. I travelled down to Musgrave Park in 1989 to see a pretty miserable match. The crowd were full of hope and expectation. But New Zealand did what they needed to do and finished easy winners. On the 18th November 1989, in Lansdowne Road, the All Blacks trounced Ireland 23-6.

Both Munster and Ireland drew with New Zealand in 1973, and in 1978 Munster became the only Irish side to have beaten the All Blacks. The 12-0 victory occurred on Tuesday 31 October 1978 at Thomond Park. Christy Cantillon scored a try with Tony Ward converting. Ward also added a drop goal in each half. The game now forms part of Munster rugby mythology, and a stage play named Alone it Stands (by John Breen) was based on the events.