Thowback to Gary Halpin try scoring salute to the All Blacks

Ireland scored the first try of the 1995 Rugby World Cup clash between Ireland and New Zealand with a move straight from the training ground as scrumhalf Michael Bradley tapped a free-kick and gave it to the onrushing Halpin about six metres from the New Zealand line. A move the Barbarians would be proud of.

However, the try wouldn't be remembered for the set move but rather the actions of tighthead prop Gary Halpin who thundered through the attempted tackles of Jamie Joseph and Mike Brewer to crash over.

After being brought to his feet, Halpin spun around and offered the All Blacks a pair of birds in double middle finger salute to his opponents.

Team manager Noel Murphy took the player to task for the gesture in the dressing room afterwards with Halpin providing some context to his reaction in an interview years later. “Sean Fitzpatrick had been winding us up, calling us Paddies. And I couldn’t really believe I’d actually scored a try.

“It was a rather stupid thing to do, being a teacher and all. And it’s kind of embarrassing because I’ve gone on to meet a lot of those All Blacks since, Zinzan Brooke from my time at Harlequins, his brother Robin, and Jamie Joseph.

“But I dined out on it like a lord. That was when I discovered that South Africans hated the Kiwis more than anyone. I loved telling the story; you’d embellish it a bit every time, just to get bought another beer.”

Ireland went on to lose the game 43-19.