DStv Channel 403 Monday, 02 December 2024

New Zealand reset after Ireland high to tackle Argentina

PARIS - New Zealand have reset from their thrilling win over Ireland to prepare for Friday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina with the pain of losing four years ago at the same stage "a big driver".

"That feeling helped us reset after what was an emotional game against Ireland and everything on the line last week," said All Blacks scrum-half Aaron Smith.

"That's been the big lesson for us, taking the positives, acknowledging the step we took.

"And how much that cost on the body, physically and emotionally, and rebuilding and finding the edge for what is another huge game for us and an opportunity for us to push forward in this comp which is our ultimate dream."

New Zealand edged Ireland, the then-world number one team, 28-24 in a pulsating quarter-final last weekend, while Argentina beat Wales 29-17.

"That was the most proud All Blacks performance I've been part of," said Smith, a member of the New Zealand team that lost to England in the 2019 semi-finals.

"The build-up, the emotion, the game, the spectacle itself. It felt like that game went on for two days, that second half felt like forever. But it was so much fun and intensity and two teams just not giving up."

Smith added: "We are lucky enough to have another opportunity this weekend and we want to be better than we were last week."

Argentina went down 27-10 to 14-man England in their opening pool match, but have steadily improved as the tournament has advanced.

But their Australian coach Michael Cheika, who led the Wallabies to the World Cup final in 2015, was in no doubt about what lay ahead at the Stade de France.

"New Zealand have been playing for many years, they are the number one team in world rugby. We know the challenge they represent," he said.

"We know the challenges are getting harder and harder. The history is not in our favour but it is up to us to change that. We have a chance to on Friday and we will be ready. When we arrive on the field we will do what we do best.

"In a World Cup semi-final they are dangerous everywhere. The contest in the lineout and the scrums, that is where the greatest challenges will lie. We have been training as best we can, we will be ready. We will see what happens."

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