Sunday 6 November 2016 17:25, UK
Ireland captain Rory Best paid tribute to Anthony Foley after helping his side to an historic 40-29 win over New Zealand at Chicago's Soldier Field.
The win was Ireland's first over the All Blacks in 111 years and ended an 18-match winning streak for their opponents, but hooker Best was quick to admit the victory was inspired by Munster head coach Foley, who died aged 42 last month.
The Munster players formed a figure eight when facing New Zealand's Haka before kick-off, in tribute to Foley's playing number, and promptly channeled the indefatigable former Ireland captain.
"I think it was something that we just talked about through the management to the players," said Best of the touching tribute to Foley.
"I think a lot's been made of the really sad news that Munster got a few weeks ago and this was the national team's first time together since his passing. So we felt that it was the right thing to do and then to put the Munster body to the front that.
"It just felt like the right thing to do and it was our way, as an Irish national team, just to show a mark of respect to Axel (Foley) and his family."
Foley won 63 caps for Ireland as a barnstorming but also tactically shrewd number eight. He also helped mastermind Munster's rise to the top of the European tree, as the Thomond Park province claimed two Heineken Cup titles.
The 42-year-old died on October 16, before Munster's Champions Cup clash with Racing 92 in Paris.
"Obviously, there was a lot of emotion and the Munster boys got a lot from that," said Best.
"It was just an emotionally charged day for us. Ultimately, we did a lot of our work earlier in the week so we could draw on a bit of that emotion.
"You've got to take a moment every time you make history. It's quite hard to sit here and talk about what's a massive thing for us.
"It's a massive mark of the respect to the All Blacks that beating them means so much to us because they are such a quality side and they've shown it.
"There's been a lot of great teams and great players that have got really close but just haven't been able to finish it.
"When they came back to a four-point game, we had the wherewithal to keep attacking them, that was great.We're a tight group, we're very well coached and that showed today."
