All Blacks players troll Ireland after anthem blunder at Aviva Stadium
All Blacks star Ardie Savea performs the Haka and insert of him after the win over Ireland.
The All Blacks players trolled Ireland following a botched rendition of the New Zealand national anthem at the Aviva Stadium last week.
Scott Robertson’s side marched to an impressive 23-13 victory over Ireland, handing Andy Farrell just his second home defeat since taking charge of the side after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
The loss meant that Ireland surrendered the top spot in the World Rugby rankings, but there was much controversy around the build-up to the match as the band notably cut the New Zealand national anthem ‘God Defend New Zealand’ short.
New Zealand anthem botched by Ireland
The first verse of the anthem is sung in Maori before it is repeated in English but, on Friday last week, the band only played the first verse before cutting the song, leaving many All Blacks players baffled as they began to sing the second verse.
However, the band swiftly moved along and started to perform Amhrán na bhFiann and then Ireland’s Call.
Fans were quick to notice that the New Zealand anthem was cut short and expressed their dismay on social media.
“They just botched the national anthem for New Zealand,” one onlooker remarked.
Others found it hugely disrespectful from the host nation.
“Last point of the night…. New Zealand have went to both London and Dublin and seen their anthem treated with complete disrespect. In England they didn’t bother with a singer and in Ireland they cut it short. It’s a lack of respect and intentional. They won both anyway,” one fan wrote.
Another sarcastically added: “What class from Ireland playing half the anthem.”
All Blacks’ respond
Meanwhile, the latest New Zealand Rugby Plus video on the All Blacks’ YouTube page has since revealed how the players responded in the sheds after the victory over Ireland.
The players are seen belting out the rest of the anthem in the sheds with winger Caleb Clarke and back-rower Ardie Savea getting stuck right in.
Ireland did not change tack for their second Autumn Nations Series match of the year as the band performed Argentina’s national anthem on Friday evening, but this time they did not cut the anthem short.
Meanwhile, the RFU, who were also slammed for not providing a singer or band for the All Blacks, have confirmed that a singer will perform Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika ahead of the clash against the Springboks.
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