Maoris In Munster – The Week That Was

14th November 2016 By Munster Rugby

#HistoryInTheMaking was the campaign leading up to last Friday night’s clash and that’s exactly what transpired. We look back, not just on another famous win at Thomond Park, but on a truly memorable week as the Maori All Blacks travelled to Munster for the first time.

Testament to Munster fans and the wider community were the comments of Maori All Back Head Coach Colin Cooper as the New Zealanders brought the Irish leg of their Northern Tour to a close last Friday night.

“We have been really impressed with the whole set up here in Munster, with the locals and with how knowledgeable they are and how rugby passionate. I thought I was in New Zealand…I can see why a lot of Maori boys want to come play over here. Their culture is the same as our culture.”

Basing themselves in Limerick from where they took in many of the famous sights and sounds of the locality including King Johns Castle, when it came to rugby preparations, Garryowen FC were their proud hosts early in the week.

The first taste of Thomond Park came on Wednesday where the Maoris met the students of High Schools CBS Clonmel whose version of the Haka saw them win a training session with the tourists. Fun soon ensued as the Tipperary students tried to teach the rugby aficionados a thing or two about hurling!

Immediately after it was off to an exclusive Q&A session for Munster Rugby Supporters Club members in the MRSC Bar at Thomond Park before making their way to St Munchin’s College for a school visit the following day.

Certainly the most touching moment of the week came when, prior to their Timatanga Haka on match night, Maori captain Ash Dixon laid out an AF etched jersey in the middle of the pitch in memory of Anthony Foley, subsequently presenting it to his sons Tony and Dan.

Click here to view our ‘Maoris In Munster – The Week That Was’ photo gallery with further highlights in the below video.