BLOG/ Four Go To War

BLOG/ Four Go To War

Ex-pat kiwis find enemies in old friends.

It is death! It is death!
It is life! It is life!
This is the hairy person
Who caused the sun to shine
Keep abreast! Keep abreast the rank!
Hold fast!
Into the sun that shines!

Translation of 'Ka Mate', The New Zealand All Blacks Haka.

Passion, skill, pride and tradition - these are the ever-presents in all the biggest and best loved games in the world. When players are willing to fight, bleed and run themselves into the ground for the cause and fans turn out in cold winter rain to support the teams that represent them, that is when amazing things happen and remarkable stories unfold.

In November, 1978, Munster became the first Irish rugby team, provincial or national, to ever beat the mighty New Zealand All Blacks. 30 years on and the two sides met again to commemorate that famous day. Times change, and the 2008 Munster side that took to the field had 4 kiwis of their own, poised, emotional and baying to take on the countrymen that stood before them. Rumours were abound that the Munster Four had something up their sleeve. A private welcoming party of sorts.

The crowd rose to their feet as the brooding All Blacks milled around and found their places. The customary pre-haka silence was absent from Thomond Park. They new something was up. The All Blacks took position, but it was the ex-pats that would make the first move...