The New Zealand All Blacks "saw their 18-match winning run come to a shuddering halt Saturday in the unlikely setting of Soldier Field" -- home of the NFL Chicago Bears, according to Paul Gittings of CNN. With "the Windy City still celebrating" the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series, underdog Ireland "also caused a massive shock in a 40-29 win over the giants of rugby." A "unique tribute" to former Ireland player Anthony Foley, who died three weeks ago in Paris, took place before the match. A "massive Irish contingent in the 62,000 crowd at a packed stadium could hardly believe the halftime scoreline as three tries put their side 25-8 ahead at the break." Certainly "the experiment of returning to the famous stadium for a second Rugby Union Test" -- the All Blacks "thrashed" the U.S. Eagles last year -- was "vindicated with a breathtaking encounter." The scene was set as the All Blacks performed the traditional Haka, with the Irish team "standing in a figure of eight to remember Foley, who wore that numbered shirt for Ireland" (CNN, 11/6). In London, Brendan Fanning reported the question was not why would Ireland win, "but why not?" And it "was valid." Ireland "found themselves hanging off a cliff with a gale-force wind blowing." Faced with the "unlikely prospect of keeping their grip, somehow they found the energy and accuracy to clamber up to safety." Ireland's Rob Kearney said, "It’s a massive day to be Irish. Not just for this team but for the players who went before us. We’ve been waiting a long time to beat the All Blacks -- it’s such a difficult feat" (GUARDIAN, 11/6).
'SOMETHING SPECIAL': RTE reported New Zealand media "was full of nothing but praise for Ireland." The New Zealand Herald's Patrick McKendry suggested that "the manner of the All Blacks' defeat" made it an "easier pill for Kiwi fans to swallow." He wrote, "Ireland clearly deserved to beat the All Blacks. In their first test since the death of former international and Munster coach Anthony Foley, they tapped into something special in the late afternoon sunshine." The NZ Herald's Chris Rattue wrote, "There's a new rugby rivalry in town. First Dublin 2013. Now this. Forget England. Forget the Lions. The hottest rugby ticket is New Zealand versus Ireland, and who can wait for the Dublin re-match." Newshub's Jim Kayes celebrated the Irish performance, "thanking them" for "injecting life back into the international game" and ramping up excitement for next summer's Lions tour (RTE, 11/6).
COSTLY DECISION: THE AGE reported "no one may be more upset by the All Blacks' shock loss to Ireland than one punter" who squandered NZ$100,000 ($73,300). A bettor "put that amount on the All Blacks to remain undefeated" for the rest of the '16 season before the final Bledisloe Cup test against Australia last month. The gambler stood to make a profit of NZ$50,000 ($36,600), with the odds of NZ$1.50 ($1.1) offered by the New Zealand TAB that the All Blacks would go unbeaten (THE AGE, 11/6).
