Former Munster star Barry Murphy swapped his playing duties for his singing talents when Ireland and New Zealand met in Chicago on Saturday.
It is bound to be a major occasion between the sides at Soldier Field, meeting at the venue for the first time since they did battle there nine years ago.
That game was an emotional encounter, given it was their first test match since the death of Munster legend Anthony Foley.
There was a moment’s silence for the Munster head coach held before kick-off. Also in tribute to Foley, as the Irish team faced the Haka from the All Blacks, they lined out in a figure-of-eight formation in tribute to the 62-cap international.
The haka… Caught by thousands of phones. Ireland in a figure 8 formation to match the arrow pic.twitter.com/I1a8IFJeRV
— Tom Hamilton (@tomhamiltonespn) November 5, 2016
What followed was a fitting performance, with Ireland claiming their first ever Test victory over their all-conquering rivals.
Murphy, who made 70 appearances for his province, won the Heineken Cup alongside Foley in 2008 before retiring in 2011 due to injury.
He acted on his musical talents and has since become the front man of popular Irish folk band Hermitage Green.
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Murphy played a part in the pre-match festivities when he sang the anthems before Ireland and New Zealand resumed their rugby rivalry.
He also paid his own tribute to Foley, wearing an international jersey worn by Axel against the Wallabies back in 2003.
I’m incredibly proud to be wearing Axels jersey in Soldier Field singing Irelands call today. 22 years to the day when he wore it. Big day ahead. Come on Ireland 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💚 pic.twitter.com/sr8QxAfAvK
— Barry Murphy (@BarryMurphyHG) November 1, 2025
Alan Quinlan summed up the significance of Murphy’s tribute to their former teammate when in the Virgin Media studio.
It is special… Barry of course is a former teammate and Hermitage Green is his band – he is a brilliant singer.
“He is going to sing Ireland’s Call and wear Axel’s jersey so that is really special and it is a lovely moment to honour Axel and also the Foley family and the heartbreak they went through. So that is special for Barry tonight.”
Standing tall, singing proud. Ireland ready for battle against the All Blacks!🏉#IREvNZL pic.twitter.com/sytHUNTX7f
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) November 1, 2025
Meanwhile, Brian O’Driscoll was equaly complimentary after Murphy’s effort on TNT Sports.
‘He sure did [a great job],” O’Driscoll said.
“It’s not an easy anthem to sing, especially when you haven’t worked with the band or the background music. But he did it justice.”
Murphy had given context to how his return to the Irish rugby set-up happened, having been capped four times during his career.
“I sang at the Munster New York dinner in September,” Murphy explained to the Irish Independent.
‘I did the Fields of Athenry halfway through the night. It went down a treat. So then I said I could sing it in the Aviva if that would work, and they were like, ‘Why don’t you do the anthems?’
“I said, ‘Look, I’m going to be in Soldier Field, I’d love to do it there.’ I got the green light and it all went from there.”
He will also sing in the three subsequent November Tests against Japan, Australia and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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