AB Supporters Take Heed

New Zealander and London-based publisher Martin Moodie was “probably one of only 500 in the 26,000 strong crowd” at Limerick’s Thomond Park when the All Blacks played Munster, “ and was honoured to be present at such an event and deeply moved by the respect the Munster crowd showed for the All Blacks, for my country and for the game of rugby.” In an article on the Moodiesan Publishing sitewww.thecupiscominghome.comMoodie praises the Irish team’s “dignity and grace”. “When ‘Smokin’ Joe’ scored that heartbreaking, game-breaking try in the 87th minute,” writes Moodie, “Stephen Donald’s resultant conversion attempt, if successful, would have put the All Blacks out of reach of defeat by an even later drop goal or penalty. It was the most crucial of kicks. In almost any other stadium in the world, at least outside Ireland, the booing from the home supporters would have been loud, prolonged and venomous … When Ireland (especially, but also any other international side) play our teams back home, let’s banish the booing too. Let’s take up the alternative cry of ‘Shhhhh’ and show that at the rugby table of manners, the Irish are not the only diners.”