Ireland star told All Black rival "you’re a s*** Richie McCaw" ahead of rematch

14 October 2023 , 07:00

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Peter O'Mahony and Sam Cane clashed last summer

Ireland secured a historic series win in New Zealand last year and certainly had the All Blacks rattled.

It was the first time that New Zealand has lost a three-test series on home soil since the 1980s as Andy Farrell's side continued their upward trajectory. The All Blacks beat them in the first test - a match that remains Ireland's last defeat - but lost the following two.

Tempers peaked in Dunedin as Ireland levelled the series 23-12 with the All Blacks having a man sent-off. It was an exchange between the two back rows - Peter O'Mahony and Sam Cane that perhaps summed up how the Irish were prepared to give it to their opponents.

Cane, who has skippered New Zealand, has donned the famous No 7 jersey for years since the retirement of Richie McCaw, arguably the greatest rugby player in history. O'Mahony was keen to remind the Chiefs star that he will never be at the level of his predecessor.

The pair were involved in a scuffle before O'Mahony's dig was caught on the ref mic. “Who do you think you are? You’re a s*** Richie McCaw pal,” quipped the Munster man.

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Ireland's back row would have the last laugh as they backed up their victory in Dunedin with one in Wellington a week later and they've not looked back since. Winning the Grand Slam, claiming the World No 1 ranking and topping their Rugby World Cup pool to set up a last eight clash with, you guessed it, New Zealand.

Ireland have had New Zealand's number in recent years

Few teams have had the All Blacks' number like Ireland in recent years. Back in 2016 they secured their first ever win over New Zealand and have gone on to beat them a further four times. O'Mahony became a test centurion during the resounding win over Scotland on Saturday.

In the aftermath of the win he claimed they would have "bigger fish to fry" and New Zealand certainly are that. The All Blacks were beaten in a pool stage match for the first time in history by France a few weeks ago and have made it known that they wanted another showdown with Ireland.

Captain and talisman Johnny Sexton said on the encounter: "[The All Blacks] have already said it's one that they want and when they're hurting and they want to put it right, that's the biggest challenge in rugby, to try and beat them when they're in that frame of mind. Two teams will both be under pressure for different reasons. And it will be who copes with that the best and who can put their game out there on the biggest day when the pressure is on."

Samuel Meade