It's the game we've waited for all week and before a ball was touched, everyone waited patiently for the national anthems to play and for the All Blacks to perform their famous 'Haka'.
The Haka is an inditimating pre-match ritual that New Zealand perform against their opposition.
Last week, against England, some felt that the Haka had been disrespected by the opposition fans who booed while they performed it.
Ireland didn't boo. Instead, fans roared come on Ireland in between the silent bits where the All Blacks stare down the eyes of their opposition.
And it was only right to respect it. Especially this particular version.
The All Blacks are giving us the modern ultra-threatening haka rather than the traditional one. Sign of respect.
— Gerry Lynch (@gerrylynch) November 17, 2018
Every time I see the All Blacks do the haka I fall in love with rugby all over again.#IREvNZL #Ireland
Time for the #Haka!! #AllBlacks
— Jøsiah del Rey (@vivajosiah) November 17, 2018
Looks like it’s the #KapaOPango pic.twitter.com/I2ZxrCDwFM
Absolutely spectacular #Haka from @AllBlacks for #IREvNZL tonight. Good luck all, and may this be a fierce one~ pic.twitter.com/DZNUsx2Rbs
— Repealist[.ie] (@Repealist_) November 17, 2018
There’s no doubt about it, the #haka is simply awesome pic.twitter.com/j7c8fxSGgw
— ???? ???? Charlie Whitworth ???? ???? (@WhitworthSEO) November 17, 2018
The All Blacks opted for the 'Kapa o Pango' version of their famous ritual. This is now as the more modern, ultra-threatening version of the 'Haka'
It was first introduced in 2005 and is used for special occasions. It comes under some controversy because of the 'throat slitting' motion at the very end of the ritual.
Some believe that this is a violent gesture but All Blacks players, management and fans alike suggest that it represents "drawing vital energy into the heart and lungs".
Whatever it means, it was really special to see it in the Aviva Stadium.
Main image via: Tom Hamilton.
