Two years ago, when Ireland ended their 111-year, 29-Test wait for victory over New Zealand, Jacob Stockdale was a 20-year-old in Ulster’s academy, excitedly watching events in Chicago on TV as an Ireland fan.
In Ireland’s victory over the All Blacks on Saturday, Stockdale was the scorer of the game’s only try — which involved a brilliant chip — and an instrumental figure in a famous win. It is a rise he is struggling to come to terms with.
“Part of me can’t believe it. It has been an incredible road to where I am at,” he said. “At the same time it has been an awful lot of hard work. There have been an awful lot of lessons learned as well. That’s what it takes to progress in international rugby and professional rugby in general.
“It has been a massive year-and-a-half for me and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon.”
Stockdale said it remained to be seen whether Ireland — with two victories in their last three matches against New Zealand — had dented the All Blacks’ aura but revealed his pride at being part of the first Ireland side to beat them in front of a home crowd.
“This win means everything,” said Stockdale, whose try was his 12th in 14 matches for his country. “There have been 113 years of guys who have played at Lansdowne Road or the Aviva and have failed to beat them.
“For me to do that on my first attempt is very special.”
