1976 Ireland rugby union tour of New Zealand and Fiji

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 where Thomas Feighery became the first man to officially score an own try. Also, 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 won 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.

1976 Ireland rugby union tour of New Zealand and Fiji
Summary
P W D L
Total
08 05 00 03
Test match
02 01 00 01
Opponent
P W D L
 New Zealand
1 0 0 1
 Fiji[1]
1 1 0 0

Matches
Scores and results list Ireland's points tally first.
Opposing TeamForAgainstDateVenue
South Canterbury19415 MayFraser Park, Timaru
North Auckland12319 MayOkara Park, Whangarei
Auckland101322 MayEden Park, Auckland
Manawatu221626 MayThe Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North
Canterbury41829 MayLancaster Park, Christchurch
Southland1831 JuneHomestead Stadium, Invercargill
New Zealand3115 JuneAthletic Park, Wellington
Fiji809 JuneBuckhurst Park, Suva

Touring party
  • Manager: K. Quilligan
  • Assistant Manager: Roly Meates
  • Medical Officer: T.C.J. O’Connell
  • Captain: Tom Grace

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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