Sir, – I would suggest it is in the national interest that a “backstop” is immediately agreed upon that will ensure that Joe Schmidt stays on in Irish rugby by signing a new contract.
Any overtures by the New Zealand Rugby Union will be met with a “no deal is better than a bad deal” strategy. – Yours, etc,
GRAEME McLEAN,
Cork.
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Sir, – It is extraordinary to see two small nations from opposite sides of the world, each in most affairs overshadowed by larger neighbours, playing rugby at a level few on the planet could match.
New Zealand are deservedly the number one team and they put in a strong performance, but Ireland came away deserving the win after a cracking contest.
Not least among the positives for Ireland is that in a game where there were so many outstanding individual performances, the crucial factor that led to victory was the way the players worked together as a team. – Yours, etc,
COLIN WALSH,
Templeogue,
Dublin 6W.
Sir, – Alone It Stands? Not anymore. – Yours, etc,
LISA HOWLEY,
Greystones,
Co Wicklow.
Sir, – Now can we please put away those ancient tapes of Munster beating the All Blacks? – Yours, etc,
JOHN K ROGERS,
Ballydorey,
Rathowen,
Co Westmeath.
Sir, – I must congratulate you on the fantastic "up to the minute" live-blog reporting of Patrick Madden on The Irish Times website.
I almost felt that I was in the Aviva.
I am sure I could hear the roars from here! – Yours, etc,
AUDREY KASSELIS,
Lourdes,
France.
Sir, – Great Sports supplement on Monday in terms of articles and photographs.
You rose to the occasion. It’s a keeper! – Yours, etc,
PATRICIA O’RIORDAN,
Dublin 8.
Sir, – Having read Mary Hannigan’s TV View column (“Was Donal Lenihan the real man of the match?”, November 19th), I nominate her “Woman of the Match” for her peerless description of such a monumental event. – Yours, etc,
ROSARY COX,
Mount Merrion,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Now that I have got my breath back, all I can say is, “Lads, ye were brilliant!” – Yours, etc,
JM DUNNE,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.