Ireland’s shock win over world champions New Zealand ‘indescribable’
Ireland lock Dorothy Wall describes the shock 29-27 WXV1 win over world champions New Zealand as “just mad” as their rejuvenation continues.
Ireland lock Dorothy Wall described the shock 29-27 WXV1 win over world champions New Zealand as “just mad” as their rejuvenation under coach Scott Bemand continued.
Replacement Erin King’s last-gasp second try levelled the scores before fly-half Dannah O’Brien kicked the decisive conversion via the upright.
“It’s crazy where we’ve come in two years,” said Tipperary woman Wall.
“To beat the Black Ferns in WVX1 is something we dreamed of.”
Ireland finished bottom of the 2023 Six Nations after losing all five of their games and Bemand was appointed coach three months later.
That came after a tumultuous two years for Irish women’s rugby sparked by the failure to qualify for the World Cup, which was followed by a group of 62 players past and present writing a letter to the Irish Government saying they had lost “all trust and confidence in the IRFU”.
“It’s insane, like we said, and what dreams are made of but we were prepared for these moments,” added Wall after Sunday’s victory in Vancouver.
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Wall hailed the work done by former England attack coach Bemand and his staff.
“What they’ve put in place in terms of strength and conditioning and nutrition, how we train, how we start the week, how prepared we are… it’s amazing the support that we have and then we have the players.
“It’s insane stuff the belief that we have in the squad and the very talented athletes and people that are in this team.”
The Ireland lock said the team went into the Vancouver contest convinced they could shock the world champions.
“We were prepared to be in that scenario. We all knew what the plan was come the time and we delivered.”
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Two-try hero Aoife Wafer said the mood in the Ireland camp after the victory was “pretty indescribable”.
“As a kid growing up in rugby, I’ve dreamed of this day. I’ve dreamed of facing the Haka, beating the All Blacks and the Black Ferns and we’ve done that here today so I’m so proud of everyone in our squad,” said the 21-year-old flanker.
Asked about her scores, the Wexford woman replied: “The girls like to give me the ball a little bit and I just put my head down and try and run through a brick wall for them.
“The back three were doing brilliantly on pulling their wingers out and creating a bit more space for me.”
Ireland will be back in action against hosts Canada on Saturday before completing the tournament against the United States.
“We will enjoy it. It’s not often you beat the Black Ferns,” added Wall.
“We’ll be sore now tomorrow. We’ll enjoy tonight and get back to work and be ready for the Canadians.”
