1976 Ireland rugby union tour of New Zealand and Fiji

1976 Ireland rugby union tour of New Zealand and Fiji
Summary
P W D L
Total
8 5 0 3
Test match
2 1 0 1
Opponent
P W D L
 New Zealand
1 0 0 1
 Fiji[1]
1 1 0 0

1976 Ireland rugby union tour of New Zealand and Fiji. The Ireland national rugby union team toured New Zealand and Fiji for the first time in 1976. Although Ireland had first played the All Blacks in 1905, this tour saw Ireland play them away for the first time. However the tour is probably best remembered for the final game against Fiji. A tired Ireland team arrived in Fiji only to discover that, as a result of a scheduling mistake, the senior Fiji team were actually on tour in Australia. The Fiji Rugby Union did, however, put together what was effectively a reserve side. Despite this Ireland only managed to win 8–0. As well as playing in extremely hot weather, Ireland also had to deal with a pitch invasion by dozens of frogs.[2] Mike Gibson, Willie Duggan, Philip Orr and Moss Keane all returned to New Zealand with the British Lions for their 1977 tour.

Matches

Scores and results list Ireland's points tally first.
Opposing Team For Against Date Venue
South Canterbury 19 4 15 May Fraser Park, Timaru
North Auckland 12 3 19 May Okara Park, Whangarei
Auckland 10 13 22 May Eden Park, Auckland
Manawatu 22 16 26 May The Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North
Canterbury 4 18 29 May Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Southland 18 3 1 June Homestead Stadium, Invercargill
New Zealand 3 11 5 June Athletic Park, Wellington
Fiji 8 0 9 June Buckhurst Park, Suva

Touring party

Backs

Forwards

[3]

See also

 

References

  1. ↑ non-official capped for Ireland
  2. ↑ The Ireland Rugby Miscellany (2007): Ciaran Cronin
  3. ↑ www.irishrugby.ie
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