Irish historic influence echoes through Springboks and All Blacks

While Ireland unfortunately fell at the quarter finals stage, the two competing finalists of New Zealand and South Africa have some interesting Irish connections in their formative years of playing rugby.

The connection is stronger in New Zealand. Many rugby fans are aware of Dave Gallaher, the legendary captain of the 1905 original All Blacks who was born in Donegal and led the first official New Zealand tour of the northern hemisphere.

The tour was incredibly successful for the newly nicknamed All Blacks. The team returned home to a resounding welcome and the 1905 tour left a lasting legacy on New Zealand rugby. The tour set the high standard for New Zealand rugby and gave the example of how rugby should be played.

Rugby in New Zealand became firmly established as the national sport and part of the national psyche. While Gallaher is the most well-known Irish connection the links are there from even earlier.

The first New Zealand rugby tour was a privately organised venture to New South Wales in 1884. New Zealand wore a blue shirt with gold fern and fielded a team which included two Irish born players, both forwards.

The Kerry born Timothy O'Connor who played for Auckland went on to become three time Australasian shot put champion, while the Otago speedster James O’Donnell from Kilkenny who remained in New South Wales after the tour with creditors chasing him for money back in New Zealand.

O’Donnell would play for New South Wales against the first British Lions touring team in 1888 and later became involved in local politics. His son John was later capped three times for the Wallabies in the 1920s. O'Connor would also play against the 1888 Lions, captaining Auckland to a famous win in the second of two clashes.

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