Rory Best On That Amazing Anthony Foley Tribute Before The All Blacks & Ireland Game

Top class.

As Ireland faced the infamous All Blacks Haka before their memorable victory, the entire team lined up in a figure of eight in honour of the late, great Anthony Foley. The former Munster and Ireland legend tragically past away only a few weeks ago and the game marked the first time Ireland had played since his passing.

Following Ireland’s awe-inspiring victory, captain Rory Best spoke to the media about the tribute. Best said that as a team, they felt it was the right thing to do.

It was just something that we talked about, the management and the players. It was very sad news that Munster got a few weeks ago. This was the national team’s first time together since his passing.

We felt it was the right thing to do. We put the Munster boys at the front, for them to lead that. The number eight, it just felt like the right thing to do and it was our way as the Irish national team to show a mark of respect to Axel and his family.

Hooker Best added also noted that emotion of the occasion, some arising from the memory of Anthony Foley, gave players that extra boost to get themselves over the line against the mighty All Blacks.

Obviously there was a lot of emotion and some of the Munster boys got a bit from that. It was just an emotionally charged day for us because we knew it was a great opportunity. Ultimately, we did our work earlier in the week and then we could draw on a bit of that emotion.

A wonderful moment that will live long in the memory. Foley would be damn proud of his boys.