All Black Rieko Ioane and the All Blacks perform a haka, ahead of the All Blacks v Ireland match, in Dublin, on 8 November. Photo: Bob Martin/ActionPress
While the game is over, the feud is far from dead.
But the All Blacks have bragging rights for now, picking up a hard-fought 23-13 win over Ireland in Dublin this morning.
And it didn't take long for the shade to be thrown, as New Zealand revel in knocking over their new great rivals.
The clash had been eagerly anticipated due to the animosity between players on both camps, with Rieko Ioane the centre of the drama in Dublin.
Ioane was seen exchanging heated words with Kiwi-born Bundee Aki after the final whistle, seemingly suggesting Aki look at the scoreboard.
Ioane then posted on Instagram images of the win, accompanied with the caption, 'put that in your book'.
The jab is aimed squarely at Ireland first-five Johnny Sexton, who did not play in this morning's loss.
Sexton went after Ioane in his autobiography, citing Ioane's fulltime reaction in Ireland's World Cup quarterfinal loss.
"So much for the All Blacks' famous "no d…heads" policy. So much for their humility. I walk after Ioane and call him a fake-humble f…er. It doesn't look great, me having a go at one of them just after we've lost. But I can't be expected to ignore that," Sexton wrote.
Ioane clapped back with an Instagram story of himself and Sexton during the All Blacks' 28-24 win, with the song "Zombie" playing.
The anthem was recently adopted by Irish fans, however, Ioane was implying to Sexton the World Cup result was still "in your head".
Ioane also led a visceral rendition of "Kapa o Pango" before kick off.
"When it comes to game days, I don't let the emotion dictate my week. I love the spectacle of rugby and what I can influence to create. Feelings were hurt, stuff was said. I'm just here to play footy and win games," he told Sky Sport.
Ioane and Aki after the game. Photo: Photosport
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
