The Irish were not a happy bunch yesterday after New Zealand crushed our hopes of a Rugby World Cup win.
Hoping to make history by delivering a quarter-final win at the RWC, it wasn’t to be for the boys in green. Going head to head against defending world champions, Joe Schmidt’s side put up a valiant fight, but the match finished 46-14 in favour of the All Blacks.
Nigel Owens just called a timeout for Rory Best to recieve applause as he walked off… absolute class.#IREvNZL
— Huw (@Huw_Neuro) October 19, 2019
Lads, this is powerful stuff. Fields of Athenry overpowering the Haka. That’s special. Well done, Irish fans #IREvNZL
— Fintan Walsh (@FintanYTWalsh) October 19, 2019
The New Zealand squad now advance to the semi-final where they will face England, who won their quarter-final showdown against Australia with a similar score 40-16.
Marking the last game for both manager Joe Schmidt and captain Rory Best, fans around the world joined them in commiserating the loss, with even Guinness weighing in on the outcome.
An emotional final interview with one of the greatest players to wear the Irish jersey and a true gentleman. Thank you @RoryBest2#ShoulderToShoulder #TeamOfUs #NZLvIRE pic.twitter.com/XbKGVpexHe
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 19, 2019
Urging supporters to have a pint of Carlsberg instead, they said what all of us were thinking: “we’re officially done with the colour black today”.
Enough said. #NZLvIRE https://t.co/tKHMVBAlPZ pic.twitter.com/n0dDtBn3nA
— Guinness Ireland (@GuinnessIreland) October 19, 2019
Enough said is right.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Best was overcome with emotion mirroring the entire nation’s disappointment.
Coming to terms with the knock-out defeat is no easy task and we’ll certainly be laying off “the black stuff” for a while at least.
Onwards and upwards lads.