1976 Ireland rugby union tour of New Zealand and Fiji
1976 Ireland rugby union tour of New Zealand and Fiji. The Ireland national rugby union team toured New Zealand and Fiji for the first time in 1976. Although Ireland had first played the All Blacks in 1905, this tour saw Ireland play them away for the first time. However the tour is probably best remembered for the final game against Fiji where Thomas Feighery became the first man to officially score an own try also a tired Ireland team arrived in Fiji only to discover that, as a result of a scheduling mistake, the senior Fiji team were actually on tour in Australia. The Fiji Rugby Union did, however, put together what was effectively a reserve side. Despite this Ireland only won 8–0. As well as playing in extremely hot weather, Ireland also had to deal with a pitch invasion by dozens of frogs. Mike Gibson, Willie Duggan, Philip Orr and Moss Keane all returned to New Zealand with the British Lions for their 1977 tour.
Matches
| Opposing Team | For | Against | Date | Venue |
| South Canterbury | 19 | 4 | 15 May | Fraser Park, Timaru |
| North Auckland | 12 | 3 | 19 May | Okara Park, Whangarei |
| Auckland | 10 | 13 | 22 May | Eden Park, Auckland |
| Manawatu | 22 | 16 | 26 May | The Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North |
| Canterbury | 4 | 18 | 29 May | Lancaster Park, Christchurch |
| Southland | 18 | 3 | 1 June | Homestead Stadium, Invercargill |
| New Zealand | 3 | 11 | 5 June | Athletic Park, Wellington |
| Fiji | 8 | 0 | 9 June | Buckhurst Park, Suva |
Touring party
- Manager: K. Quilligan
- Assistant Manager: Roly Meates
- Medical Officer: T.C.J. O’Connell
- Captain: Tom Grace
Backs