Ireland Break Cubs-Like Drought; Beat The All Blacks For The First Time In 111 Years

In a wait for victory that extended three years longer than the Cubs infamous turmoil, Ireland have beaten the All Blacks, for the first time in 111 years, in Chicago, this morning NZT.

The Irish thrashed New Zealand 40-29 at Soldier Field, holding on after a powerful second half surge by the All Blacks - who came into the match with a world record of 18 straight tests victories - that nearly saw the world champions come back.

Yet Ireland held on and scored a late try to make the gap too big for the All Blacks to close. Ireland were deserved victors. They out-passioned the All Blacks, especially up front - and held on after countless waves of Kiwi attack in the last twenty minutes.

The victory is Ireland's first in 29 attempts against New Zealand. The two teams first played each other in 1905, in Dublin, which New Zealand won 15-0. In 27 other games until today, Ireland have only managed one result; a 10-10 draw, also in Dublin, in 1976.

History-making is in the water in Chicago at the moment, though - after the Cubs beat the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 of the World Series last week to claim their first title since 1908.

Highlights of Ireland's 40-29 victory over Ireland in Chicago today. Source: Youtube.

"It's been a long time in coming," Ireland captain Rory Best said, following the game. "It's been a long time, it's history made - and we're absolutely ecstatic."

"I suppose we're going to have to dye the river green for this one," Best added, in reference to the Chicago River being turned blue for the Cubs victory parade.

The Irish versions of Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Ben Zobrist and Jon Lester will be Best, fly-half Jonny Sexton, winger Simon Zebo and second-five Robbie Henshaw.

Like Zobrist, who hit the go-ahead run in the tenth inning for the Cubbies earlier this week, Henshaw will be the ultimate hero.

His try with five minutes to go secured the history-making victory, that saw the All Blacks concede 40 points for just the second time in history. Ironically, it was a Kiwi coach - Ireland boss Joe Schimdt - who was the architect of the victory for Ireland, too.

In the city of Chicago,
Where the evening shadows fall,
There are people dreaming,
HOLY LIVING SHIT WE BEAT THE ALL BLACKS!!
— Colm Tobin (@colmtobin) November 5, 2016

The All Blacks were behind 25-8 only eight minutes into the second half, but roared back with tries to TJ Perenara, Ben Smith and Scott Barrett in the following 15 minutes.

Smith's try was controversial, with the Kiwi back going over for a five-pointer in the right-hand corner despite looking like his foot was potentially in touch.

A camera-angle was lacking - but with Ireland winning, it'll only be a footnote for an All Blacks team who had obviously taken the match-up far too lightly.

Despite the 18-match winning streak and the fact that the All Blacks have won the last two World Cups, the history-making defeat caps what has been a terrible year for New Zealand rugby.

Jesus lads. We beat the All Blacks. WE BEAT THE ALL BLACKS! What *exactly* is Axel up to in heaven?! Keep it up, whatever it is! #IREvNZL
— Niamh ☕️ (@niamhieobrien) November 5, 2016

The sport in New Zealand has been under constant criticism after a scandal involving a Super Rugby team's treatment of a stripper in post-season celebrations, controversy over an originally lenient stance on a young player's involvement in a group assault - and a current All Black, Aaron Smith, being caught having sex in an airport toilet.

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New Zealand rugby media have recently been under the spotlight too, with Australian coach Michael Cheika describing them as arrogant after a Kiwi newspaper depicted him as a clown before a recent test match.

Yet none of that should detract from the history-making Irish, who starred down the All Black haka in a figure-eight formation in tribute of beloved former forward Anthony 'Axel' Foley, who died, suddenly, in Paris three weeks ago.

Ireland remember Anthony Foley…