Ireland fulfilled their status as one of the great modern-day foes to record their third win over the All Blacks. Video / Sky Sport
OPINION:
The chickens came home to roost in Dublin as the All Blacks' jobs-for-the-boys coaching system was exposed by an extraordinary Irish performance.
New Zealand Rugby's decision to re-appoint Ian Foster with indecent haste this year was turned into a horror show by the power and precision of the magnificentIrish stampede.
The affection between the opposing sides afterwards was memorable, heartwarming, but the good feelings for All Black supporters should stop there.
The All Blacks were comprehensively out-coached in Dublin, with Ireland's command of the ball masterful as the All Blacks fluffed about like it was Super Rugby.
Ireland's performance was every bit as good as England's demolition job on the All Blacks at the last World Cup, and even more concerning.
England lay in wait for their semifinal strike on the highest rugby stage. Ireland are still building into their new season.
They were a 25-point better team, the final margin of nine a tribute to the All Blacks' peerless ability to flatter and deceive on the scoreboard.
From hooker Rónan Kelleher to wing James Lowe, Ireland were uniformly superb winning every man-for-man battle.
New Zealand rugby was in desperate need of a re-boot after 2019, when Steve Hansen's amazing empire had so obviously crumbled.
Having got the initial decision wrong, NZR managed to insert a saving grace - the nervous two-year appointment of Foster.
Apparently fooled by okay results against poorly prepared sides in the Covid era, the NZR hierarchy plunged forth in the middle of this year and prematurely launched the rickety ship Foster towards the next World Cup.
There was absolutely no good reason to do so. The NZR should have waited until after the northern tour, when they could make the best possible assessment on whether to extend his contract.
They had two brilliant options, in the ready-made Scott Robertson or harder-to-get Jamie Joseph/Tony Brown combo.
So what's the verdict now? If Foster's job was on the line, would he get an extension? And what would the public verdict be?
Defeat against France would put Foster's back firmly against the wall, and these All Blacks face a battle to re-group.
The All Blacks are getting dealt to in the forwards, where their legends are tiring. Brodie Retallick had an average test, Sam Whitelock had perhaps his worst, notably in the air.
Maybe the secret to Ireland's growing success against New Zealand is their expertise in not exposing the ball to the All Black counterattacks and turnovers.
Autumn Nations Series, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 13/11/2021 Ireland vs New Zealand New Zealand's Jordie Barrett dejected after the game. Photo / Photosport.co.nz
Their relentless energy, precision and alignment - as they kept the ball away from All Black clusters with snappy passes - was an absolute joy to behold.
Ireland were also unfairly robbed of a try.
I say unfairly because a ball carrier was nabbed by a TMO for stealing a few metres on the ground in the lead up to the score.
If the referee initially saw nothing wrong with a clearly visible act then that should be good enough for all of us.
The All Blacks got a lucky break. But Ireland won going away.
Crucially, there was no discernible lift in All Black intensity or change in tactics after halftime.
They have little new to offer beyond sadly inept reminders of the great Hansen era. That's why potential-saviour Aaron Smith has been rushed over, and he will surely have to start against France.
Irish rugby coach Andy Farrell knows what it's like to be an international sporting pauper, if you like.
Wigan legend Farrell is a Great Britain rugby league great and was always a classy character to deal.
He captained the British league side which toured here in 1996, during which a group of players was sent home early to save costs.
I recall ringing him about it, and he was - quite naturally - furious at the squad being torn apart like that and not afraid to say so.
Sad to say, international rugby league was actually in a better state back then than it is today.
