When Rory Best and Conor Murray reflect on Ireland’s unforgettable victory over New Zealand in 2016, the voices of Johnny Sexton and Joe Schmidt still echo vividly from the Soldier Field dressing room in Chicago. That day marked a turning point in Irish rugby — the end of a 111-year wait for victory over the mighty All Blacks.
The Day Ireland Made Rugby History
Before that November afternoon in 2016, Ireland had never beaten New Zealand in 28 attempts. The All Blacks, riding an 18-match winning streak, were the undisputed kings of world rugby. Yet, by half-time at Soldier Field, Ireland led 25–8 after a breathtaking display of attacking intent and fearless execution.
Murray recalled the pivotal moment in the Ireland Rugby Social Podcast, the BBC’s new rugby union series, saying the message at half-time was simple but powerful.
“Johnny pointed out, ‘We’ve got to keep playing,’ and I remember Joe saying, ‘We’re going to score again.’ He was really good with belief,” Murray said.
“That half-time team talk was about control, not celebration. We all knew New Zealand would come hard, but Joe made sure our heads stayed focused.”
The Message That Defined a Team
Even with a historic lead, head coach Joe Schmidt urged his team not to let emotion take over. Murray said Schmidt warned the players not to celebrate prematurely — a command easier said than done once Simon Zebo crossed the line for another Ireland try.
“Next thing we had a maul on their five-metre line, went down, and Zeebs scored in the corner — and we went mental,” Murray laughed.
“Johnny jumped on me and Zeebs. That saved us from getting a telling-off after the match because even Joe couldn’t complain when Johnny joined in.”
That emotional release symbolized more than just a try — it was the moment Ireland’s belief finally overpowered New Zealand’s aura of invincibility. The 40–29 victory remains one of the greatest achievements in Irish sporting history.
Rory Best: ‘We Had to Change Our Mentality’
As captain, Rory Best sensed early that Ireland’s mindset heading into the clash was different from previous years. The team was determined to play brave, attacking rugby, not settle for penalties or defensive containment.
“We looked at the game differently and said, ‘We can’t try to beat New Zealand by scoring three points — we’ve got to kick to the corner,’” Best explained.
“That was the start of us trusting our set-piece and backing ourselves. It was about making them think, ‘These boys aren’t going away.’”
The hooker’s leadership that day — combined with Sexton’s direction and Schmidt’s tactical precision — laid the foundation for Ireland’s rise to the top of the world rankings just a few years later.
Joe Schmidt’s Ruthless Standards
Following the euphoria of Chicago, Ireland faced Canada a week later. But Schmidt, always meticulous, ensured there was no room for complacency. Best recalled how the coach used him as an example to reinforce accountability across the squad.
“Joe asked me to talk through the Canadian front row. I said, ‘Joe, I don’t know — I haven’t looked at it,’” Best admitted.
“He said, ‘If we were playing New Zealand, you’d know everything. That’s why we were successful last week. We can’t go back to being inconsistent.’”
Later, Schmidt told Best he had deliberately made an example of him to prove no player was above scrutiny — a hallmark of the demanding culture that would drive Ireland to three Six Nations titles and a Grand Slam in 2018.
Ireland’s Legacy and the Road Ahead
Nearly a decade later, Ireland’s 2016 triumph still resonates — not only for the scoreline but for the mindset it instilled. Under current coach Andy Farrell, the team continues to build on that legacy, with Murray confident the standards set by Schmidt and Sexton endure.
“He [Farrell] doesn’t accept staying the same,” Murray said. “Every camp is about improving something. You see it in the competition at fly-half — Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast are pushing each other to crazy high standards.”
Ireland’s next meeting with New Zealand at Soldier Field on Saturday offers a chance to rekindle the spirit of 2016 — and perhaps create another iconic moment in Irish rugby history.
Ireland’s 2016 Victory at a Glance
- Score: Ireland 40–29 New Zealand
- Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago
- Date: 5 November 2016
- Key Try-Scorers: Jordi Murphy, CJ Stander, Simon Zebo, Robbie Henshaw
- Coach: Joe Schmidt
- Captain: Rory Best
- Fly-Half: Johnny Sexton
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