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New Zealand radio host says supporters "shouldn't have to accept" historic Irish result

Ireland's historic victory over the All Blacks last Saturday will live long in the memory of rugb...



New Zealand radio host says su...
Rugby

New Zealand radio host says supporters "shouldn't have to accept" historic Irish result

Ireland's historic victory over the All Blacks last Saturday will live long in the memory of rugby fans across the country and was a sign that even seemingly invincible teams can still be beaten.

The All Blacks suffered their first defeat in 19 matches at Soldier Field and a five star Irish performance recorded their first victory over New Zealand in 111 years. While euphoria swept through Irish fans around the world, the Southern Hemisphere giants reacted quite differently.

The result marks a return to reality for Steve Hansen's side and one radio host in particular took exception to the match, remarking that "arrogant" team selection was one of the key downfalls of their side.

"Great day for Ireland, not a great day for world rugby," Mark Watson, Newstalk ZB radio host, said of the All Blacks' defeat.

"And as New Zealanders we shouldn't have to accept that. Yeah we want close rugby, but we shouldn't have to accept that."

Watson then drew comparisons to New Zealand's forgettable 1998 season and the 2007 World Cup campaign.

"The fact that we were so p**s poor at the Olympic Games this year, we sacrificed the series against Wales. After saying that this is the best All-Black team of all time and we've just lost to Ireland for the first time in 111 years, this in my opinion is as bad a season as 1998 when we lost five tests in a row and 2007 when we went out in the quarter-finals."

He added: "Forget your 18 consecutive test victories. Half of those were done in 2015. [It's a] Meaningless record.

"Kieran Read, two World Cups (and) first All Blacks captain to lose to the Irish... Black mark (against) Steve Hansen, first All Black coach to lose to the Irish."

The result, he says, is also bad news for the British and Irish Lions who prepare for their tour in 2017 and claiming 'lessons will be learned' from the defeat.

"A lot of people will look at this and think 'The British and Irish Lions is going to be one hell of a series'. Wrong. The worst thing for Warren Gatland happened [in Chicago].

"This is the wake up that New Zealand rugby needed, this is the little reminder New Zealand rugby needed.

"The British and Irish Lions will get hammered here next year because of what happened in Chicago."

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