1974 Rugby Union match: Ireland vs New Zealand All Blacks (highlights)

In 1974, the Irish were celebrating their centennial year of their rugby union being founded. The All Blacks came back to Ireland for this reason. The centenary would not be pretty for the Irishmen as they failed to beat to the All Blacks once again. Until 2016 hence minnow nations, the Irish would join the Italians, Scotsmen, and Argentines as the only sides that failed to beat the All Blacks. All of them nearly did on several occasions until recently when the Irish broke the All Blacks winning streak in Chicago. Commentary by the legendary Bill McLaren.

[@user-te3jc3sl7r]

When Joe Karam went to rugby league in early 1976 it left a huge hole in the AB's for the next 2-3 years finding an adequate replacement fullback. They could have done with him in South Africa 1976. Best AB fullback of the 1970's.

[@donallally5504]

God bless this great man of Rugby, he loved the sport

[@hotbevvy59]

Early hours of NZ morning watched this at friend,s house - first match in colour for me.

[@TheAseer2020]

Have a rugby history question. Around what year did the strategy and tactics of Rugby Union change from the ones used in this game , into the strategy and tactics that are used in the modern game, 2022? I am under the impression of earley 1990, but before Rugby Union went professional. However, I do not know

[@brettwilkinson9529]

Another example of just how valuable Joe Karam was as a player. Scored all the points in difficult conditions then kicked 4 out of 4 in the water polo test match against Scotland the following year in his last test. NZ Rugby Union should have done more to keep him.

[@cocricklewood4441]

Ahhh! The real voice of rugby. Bill Mclaren and old cotton shirts that weighs a ton when wet.

[@user-tm1sc6gv1b]

Ref Jonny Johnstone loved the All-Blacks! He always made sure they Won!!!

[@simongleaden2864]

Interesting to see the old-style, straight-on kicking of Joe Karam. When did "round the corner" place kicking become universal?

[@robbdavies7749]

Barry John was an early round the corner kicker

[@moppop2016]

Thought Sid Going hogged the ball ,but every time he sent the ball out ,the backs couldnt do anthing and were out classed by brilliant Irish defence so NZ did what it always knew it could do is play its forward power.

[@stephenreeds3672]

How times have changed... "the big 13 1/2 stone centre." 151/2 these days. The AB's played all the rugby.

[@iancurtis1152]

The Whiz-Bang from Wellington!😀

[@mixmastermootree]

This reminds me of David Bain

[@martybourke2428]

Their Jerseys aren't that bad

[@mixmastermootree]

@@martybourke2428 noice

[@pcwleung]

How much has the game changed! Nowadays it's mainly about the breakdown; there are hardly any rucks in this game.

[@aboriginalbrotha9947]

Yep very true. Union took ideas from league because some ex-RL players coached RU squads. The defensive lines that Union use today came from League and it made it difficult to score tries and teams depended on fly-halves to score a lot of points for them in matches. In the late 70s, Argentina depended on Hugo Porta to score most of the points for them but they had trouble scoring tries because they had a weak attack. They lost to the Italians in 1978 because they depended on Porta to score points.

[@mimip5410]

Da Undaground Mane 1

[@aboriginalbrotha9947]

Back in those days, no union player are not allowed to have any contact with a RL official, recruit or club. If any threat of signing with a RL will kick them out of the code for a lifetime. League wasn't fully professional back in those days until RU become professional in 1995. I believe the rule changes were done to reduce the injuries and dirty play of teams like France. The French had a reputation during the amateur era because of their dirty tactics towards their opponents. The infamous Battle of Nantes match is one example.

[@neilbe7118]

Wonder what happened Mike Gibson for this match

[@martybourke2428]

Injury

[@philbyd]

Amazing:the haircuts I mean

[@gavinlonergan4330]

Great old names, none less than Bill McLaren. But let’s be honest. The skill level is school boy level in 2022.

[@gavinwood9137]

You reckon Sid Going , Kirkpatrick were only good modern day school boys .. get a grip of ya self …

[@gavinlonergan4330]

@@gavinwood9137 Colin Meads was 6ft and 102kg and played at lock…. He would not make a current All Black team given his size. Get a grip yourself.

[@martybourke2428]

​@@gavinlonergan4330Colin 6 4 and would todays players without their...dietary help.. match Skinner,Meads,Murdoch etc etc

[@ianwatson2387]

How dull and predictable the modern game has become, bang crash ruck, bang crash ruck, isn't it obvious a much looser style of play creates more chances?

[@neilbe7118]

Agree they keep kicking it recently too

[@rosselliot8971]

"dreek"