Ireland beating New Zealand is the stuff of dreams

IF THAT heartbreaking 22-24 defeat at the death against New Zealand in Dublin three years ago and the lessons learnt from the fallout was credited as the catalyst for back-to-back Six Nations championship titles in 2014 and 2015, one wonders what the long-term legacy of this unique experience in Chicago will be.

Even when Simon Zebo extended Ireland’s 17 point half-time lead to 22 with a superb try out wide early in a pulsating second-half, one wondered would it be enough.

To beat New Zealand you not only have to ask different questions of them but you must take them out of their comfort zone.