At the end of such an gripping battle, a lovely show of respect.
Back in October, New Zealand rugby player Sean Wainui died after he was involved in a single vehicle car crash in Tauranga.
The Chiefs and Maori All Blacks star was only 25, and left behind a wife and child, as well as a grieving wider family.
Following Ireland’s 29-20 win over the All Blacks, captain Johnny Sexton presented a signed jersey to Sam Whitelock, his counterpart. The jersey is intended to go to the family of the late Wainui.
Managed to capture the moment #respect pic.twitter.com/jWLIqHOaS1
— Stephen (@mcgeebers) November 13, 2021
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster was asked about the jersey presentation, after his side’s second consecutive loss in Dublin, and commented:
“It was a special and classy gesture by Ireland. It was well-meaning and appreciated.”
For Sexton’s part, he revealed that the decision had been made a couple of weeks ago, when the squad first gathered for these autumn internationals.
The plan had originally been to lay the jersey down before our during the All Blacks’ Haka, something the USA had done before their game in Washington, last month.
Had Ireland done so, it would have echoed a touching moment in 2016 when the Maori team, which included now-Ireland winger James Lowe, lay down a jersey in memory of the late Anthony Foley, at Thomond Park.
In the end, it was settled to make the presentation after the game. Sexton commented:
“We would have liked to have done it before the haka. We have lost people close to us too, so we contacted them.
“They said that some of the players are still a bit raw due to the loss and can you do it after the game. We just wanted to make a gesture.”
Ireland defeated the All Blacks by nine points and have now won three of their last five meetings with them.
