In Ireland we have a curious custom of thanking the bus driver when they pull up at our stop. No one knows how or where it started, but this salute on your step out the door is widespread, and has endured. So, you're asking yourself, maybe Rieko Ioane was getting in on the action when Ireland's designated quarter-final stop arrived at last year's World Cup, the last time these teams met. The All Blacks were driving the bus at the time. Maybe he was asking Johnny Sexton if Ireland's departing legend had forgotten his manners.
Not according to Sexton's account. That little poisonous interplay between them has hurried this fixture along, even if Ireland's fly-half is involved now only in the background as coach to the No 10s in the squad, and won't be on site for this match. For sure, though, there will be something in the air.
"Hopefully - that's what everyone wants, isn't it?" Andy Farrell says. "They want it as well. That's what normally happens when the All Blacks come into town anyway. I haven't seen it any different to that so I think Irish rugby's in a good place. I think everyone knows New Zealand are always the team to beat."
Even without that added ingredient tickets were snapped up for a fixture Farrell has been targeting since a satisfying summer, ending all square, in South Africa.
This story is from the November 08, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 08, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Explained What is the Kumbh Mela holy gathering?
What is the Kumbh Mela? The Kumbh Mela is the world's largest religious gathering, widely seen as the \"festival of festivals\" in the Hindu religious calendar.
Electric cars Ministers mull guarantee on loans for EVS
The government is reportedly considering subsidising purchases of electric vehicles by guaranteeing consumer loans, as it looks at ways to boost sales that are failing to reach official targets.
Abramovich may owe HMRC £1bn for unpaid taxes, analysis suggests
The billionaire Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich may owe the HMRC in Britain as much as £1bn, according to analysis of documents that suggests his companies failed to pay tax on profits from an elaborate offshore investment scheme.
Police blamed as crush kills dozens of pilgrims at Hindu festival in India
At least 30 people have been killed and scores injured in crowd crushes at the Kumbh Mela festival, Indian police have confirmed, as vast numbers of people went to bathe at one of the holiest sites of the Hindu gathering.
Car production in UK slides to lowest level for seven decades
British car production fell to its lowest level in seven decades in 2024, barring the coronavirus pandemic, as the industry struggles with weak demand and prepares to shift away from fossil fuels to electric vehicles.
Stage review A spine-chilling wheeze that's destined to linger
Inside No 9: Stage/Fright Wyndham's theatre, London
Syria Rebel leader Sharaa appointed transitional president
The former leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist rebel group that led the military operation to topple the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad last month, has been appointed president of the country for a \"transitional period\".
Coraline musical cancelled after allegations against Neil Gaiman
A stage version of Neil Gaiman's Coraline was cancelled yesterday after allegations of sexual misconduct against the author.
Water bills to increase by average of £123 from April
Water bills will rise by an average of £123 this year in the biggest hit to customer pockets since the industry was privatised 36 years ago, as the public pays to replace ageing infrastructure and cut record sewage pollution.
NHS to offer thousands with severe dust mite allergy daily pill
Thousands of people in England with severe dust mite allergy are to be offered a first-of-its-kind daily pill on the NHS to treat the condition.