Ireland v New Zealand: half-backs hold key as Irish look to reshape world order

How Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton perform against Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett will go a long way to determining whether Ireland can bust the myth that the All Blacks – refocused after the Chicago defeat – are untouchableIt was the figure of eight that had it. While New Zealand were wildly gesticulating with the version of the haka they have written for themselves, Ireland invoked a spirit of their own by standing stock still in a special configuration. As a tribute to the late Anthony Foley, it was a statement – or rather an understatement – of heart‑rending power and beauty. And as the f…