Gavin Cummiskeyon the New Zealand media's reaction to Tuesday's classic match, admiring the host side's 'passionate, almost crazed performance'

OVERALL, MUNSTER'S two- point loss against the All Blacks at Thomond Park caused a slight ripple in the New Zealand media, but the performance resonated enough to leave the imagination open to the effect it could have had if the result went with the hosts on Tuesday night.

It wouldn't be New Zealand if they didn't bottle the Irish up with references to passion and, well, Guinness but, in fairness, both were in clear evidence on a special night.

The front page of the Dominion Post showed Rua Tipoki leading the four-man Munster haka.

"The European champions, shorn of its Irish Test players, produced a passionate, almost crazed performance that sucked the All Blacks into a frenetic type of game," wrote Jim Kayes.

"They lacked composure for long periods and were rattled by the din from the 26,000 at Thomond Park and the weight of history as they fell behind and the clock ticked down.

"The All Blacks were as desperate not to repeat the loss inflicted on their 1978 predecessors in Limerick just as Munster were keen to emulate those heroes. The fans were also incredibly noisy."

Inside, under the headline: "Munster madness as fans yell themselves hoarse," Kayes continued to praise the Red Army, "They cheered or booed for everything - kicks, passes, dropped ball and nifty touches. They loved the second half punch up but not as much as Munster line breaks, or All Blacks getting tackled and penalised.

"They cheered in approval when Stephen Donald missed penalties (three of them) and the conversion for Rokocoko's try.

"They went crazy when first five-eighth Paul Warwick kicked two penalties and a drop kick.

"But they went bananas when wing Barry Murphy crossed for a try from a scrum move - replicating flanker Christy Cantillon's feat three decades ago."

Wynne Gray of the New Zealand Herald's match report was beside a picture of Donnacha Ryan landing a blow on opposing lock Jason Eaton with Tony Buckley in close proximity.

"The history books will record a narrow win for the visitors," wrote Wynne. "But there was enough rugby material for the locals to chew over as they sip their Guinness for the next 30 years.

"Munster looked a well-drilled team, an accomplished outfit, even without their Test players, while the All Blacks looked like a collection of players who had rarely trained together. The less flamboyant but accurate Munster side played to their strengths, made their tackles and showed great cohesion. The atmosphere was something else, from the thunderous noise to the deathly quiet when kickers from both sides tried goal shots."

Wynne, in a rare error, associated Leinster's Brian O'Driscoll with the night when stating: "Munster captain Mick O'Driscoll, brother of the Irish national skipper, said it had been a great honour for his team to be part of the historic pre-match rituals as his side's Kiwi imports laid down a haka challenge to their All Black opposites."

All Blacks number eight Liam Messam said it had been "awesome" facing the Munster haka which welcomed the visitors to Limerick and the match.

Messam clapped and nodded his appreciation to Tipoki and his mates for their haka before the All Blacks swept into their response.

"'I just wanted to pay my respects to Rua because he was the senior player and used to be my captain in the Maoris and I wanted to show my respect to him in his home game."

A respect undoubtedly returned to the world's best tourists.