Richie McCaw’s reaction to Ireland’s historic Chicago victory is equal parts insulting and understandable

Are they ashamed of losing to Ireland?

It's been a little over six weeks since Ireland conquered the All Blacks at Soldier Field in Chicago. There was a lot of congratulations and hat-tipping from the New Zealand public and media in the immediate aftermath of that win. However, there was always a suspicion that these niceties may have been given through gritted teeth or forced smiles. In a way, you could say that this was true as evidenced in New Zealand's overly-physical approach to their win over Ireland a week later in Dublin's Aviva Stadium. It was as if the All Blacks immediately parked that loss and completely focused on securing a win against Ireland the following week, which they did. But like all traumatic events, it takes a period of time for the gravity of that situation to fully sink in. So, it seems now, six weeks on, that New Zealand's true feelings surrounding their first ever loss to Ireland are beginning to emerge. All Black legend Sean Fitzpatrick recently told The Mirror that he was sitting with Richie McCaw as they witnessed Ireland record a 40-29 victory of their side.

"I was sitting with Richie McCaw when New Zealand lost to Ireland, and when it was over we looked at each other and said, 'Thank God I wasn't playing' - because that team will be remembered for ever as the side who lost to Ireland."

Both players are aware of the shame that can surround such a defeat as Fitzpatrick's late father, Brian, was on the 1953 side which lost to Wales in Arms Park. McCaw also had a distant relative in that side. This also isn't McCaw's first instance of possibly disrespecting the Irish. Before that memorable win in Chicago, McCaw spoke to SportsJOE about that match and he struggled to recall who made up the Irish backrow.

Richie McCaw hasn't seen much of us this year but he knows exactly what we're bringing to Soldier Field pic.twitter.com/P1J14l1YYD

— Patrick McCarry (@patmccarry) November 4, 2016

So, we probably shouldn't be too surprised at McCaw's reaction to their defeat to Ireland.