MUNSTER v NEW ZEALAND REACTION:MICK O'DRISCOLL came in bloodied and bandaged and Rui Tipoki, his New Zealand team-mate, hobbled into the crowded room on crutches. It may have looked like unearthly magic from the stands of Thomond Park, but on the field it was 80 minutes of punishment. At the end, Munster - the team and province - were left with questions of what might have been and an afterglow that will ensure that this match lives on as a rightful companion piece to the famous occasion of 30 years ago.
"I am extremely proud," admitted Munster coach Tony McGahan. "For the players to put in that effort was outstanding and to a man they should feel very proud of the effort they put in."
For all the preparation and set-plays that went into last night, it was the pure emotion of Munster's New Zealand boys performing the haka that electrified the famous ground.
"It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," smiled Tipoki. "As a Kiwi you dream of playing for the All Blacks from the time you pick up a rugby ball, and, as a Maori, to have the chance to perform the Maori. We were aware that Munster has such a rich culture and everyone we spoke with wanted us to do it. They supported us and it was a special moment in my career.
"The crowd just went ballistic - Mafi missed the jump at the start because we couldn't hear each other. But we tried to keep together and . . . no, it was just awesome."
Mick O'Driscoll was four minutes away from being the second Irishman to captain a team that defeated the All Blacks. Pressed about the contentious sequence that led to New Zealand's late penalty, the big man sighed.
"I was 100 per cent sure the ball was out. I know the referee was blindsided, but I thought the ball was out. I would probably admit it if I was wrong.
"But I suppose that is what happens. It is an 80-minute game and possibly one or two things went against us. I thought the referee did well overall.
"But from my point of view, I am just proud to be a Munster man tonight."
Even in defeat, this bunch will probably join the fabled team of 1978 as a Munster side that dared against the All Blacks.
"We met a few of them today and had lunch and had a good chat," O'Driscoll said. "But to be honest, when you are playing New Zealand you don't need guys to tell you who you are playing against or how tough it is going to be. For us it was a great honour to play against New Zealand and we just came out the wrong side of a great result."
A New Zealand visitor asked, in what sounded like awe, if Thomond was always like this.
"Yeah. It is probably normal," he reflected.
"But it is very special to play an international team and, as I said, I think the All Blacks are the best team in the world. You don't need any inspiration to play these guys.
"We were massive underdogs going in and I think the heart and commitment that the boys showed on the pitch and the coaching staff for the last few weeks makes you very proud to be a Munster man tonight.
"Fair play to them. They were a better side on the night and you gotta live with that."
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