Joe Schmidt and Ireland captain Rory Best spoke about the stunning No.8 tribute to Anthony Foley.
It took a moment or two to fully register what will never be forgotten now.
As the All Blacks lined up to perform their infamous, intimidating Haka, the Irish squad lined up in the figure 8. It was a simple but beautiful moment on a day Irish fans will cherish for years to come.
The Munster players in the Ireland squad were put front and centre to face down the declaration of war. The crowd caught on and they absolutely loved it.
It certainly inspired the Irish players as they delivered a performance of a life-time to defeat the world champions 40-29.
Asked about the tribute, after the match, Best said:
“I think it was something that we just talked about through the management to the players. I think a lot been made of the really sad news that Munster got a few weeks ago and this was the national team’s first time together since his passing so we felt that it was the right thing to do and then to put the Munster body to the front that.
“It just Felt like the right thing to do and it was our way, as an Irish national team, just to show a mark of respect to Axel and his family.”
Schmidt followed up on those lovely words with some of his own. He told us:
“I really thought the players did themselves proud. To be fair, they did Axel proud and his family and they did their country proud.
“I think the supporters did well as well. The longer the game went, the more they got behind the team.”
Axel would have absolutely loved it.
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