The moments before the match provided something special. The moments after the whistle was blown are probably not worth talking about right now.
When it comes to pre-match rituals, there is nothing quite like the iconic New Zealand haka.
Typically, the ceremonial dance results in the opposition being beaten before the whistle is even blown but sometimes, the opposite side simply refuses to be intimidated.
If there was any sense of nervousness in the Irish ranks while the All Blacks roared and slapped their thighs, it likely eased when the New Zealand shouts were drowned out by one of the most deafening renditions of The Fields of Athenry that has ever been belted out.
In the moments ahead of kick-off in Ireland's Rugby World Cup quarter-final against the defending world champions in Tokyo, the travelling Irish support made their presence felt and guaranteed goosebumps with a stunning and thunderous chorus of the spine-tingling ballad.
https://twitter.com/eirSport/status/1185500672667475968
At the time of writing (half-time of the match), Ireland trail the rampant All Blacks by a scoreline of 22-0 and will have it all to do in a crucial 40 minutes of rugby, which could be Joe Schmidt's final half as Ireland head coach unless he can mastermind a very unlikely comeback after the break.
https://twitter.com/eirSport/status/1185501053602746368
Whatever happens in the second half, the Irish fans continue to do the country proud with their matchless support which earned plenty of praise back home.
https://twitter.com/RichySheehy/status/1185501330728771584
https://twitter.com/sorcylen/status/1185501015807844352
https://twitter.com/colmtobin/status/1185500151730847745
https://twitter.com/AnnMarieGuinan/status/1185500039629725698
https://twitter.com/MossBoxx/status/1185499923548114944
https://twitter.com/Dboymolloy/status/1185500412817891329
https://twitter.com/TreabhairC/status/1185500260384288769
