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Aaron Smith draws inspiration from 2019 ‘pain’ after emotional quarter-final
Aaron Smith burst into tears after the All Blacks’ thrilling 28-24 quarter-final win over Ireland last weekend, with the halfback turning to wing Will Jordan for an emotional embrace at Stade de France.
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New Zealand had overcome doubters and the underdog tag to beat the world’s top-ranked side to keep their World Cup dream alive. The All Blacks were moving on, and you could see how much it meant to the team and their supporters.
In the days that followed, videos began to surface online of supporters back in New Zealand celebrating in a pure state of euphoria in the early hours of Sunday morning. That result meant a lot, but it’s only one Test.
The All Blacks have a date with destiny on Friday night when they take on southern hemisphere rivals Argentina for a spot in the Rugby World Cup final. New Zealand reached this stage at the 2019 tournament but fell over an English hurdle.
Four years ago, the All Blacks beat Ireland 46-14 in the quarter-finals at Tokyo Stadium but went on to lose their semi-final against England.
While the pain, disappointment and frustration of that defeat may never go away the All Blacks are looking to take “those learnings” into another defining clash this week.
“Just remembering the pain of it is a big driver, especially for a few of us boys who’re there. That feeling helped us reset after what was an emotional game [against Ireland] and everything on the line week last week,” Aaron Smith told reporters on Wednesday.
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Wins
1
Draws
0
Wins
4
Average Points scored
12
38
First try wins
60%
Home team wins
20%
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“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.”
“I’m an emotional person and I use things to fuel me. I remember being in the same position four years ago and we didn’t get it right that night. The messaging this week has been about taking those learnings,” Smith added.
“Going into this game I really want to start better [than he did against Ireland]. My execution was off for a good chunk of that game and it cost the team dearly with a yellow card, and my first two passes found no one.
“So I’m trying to make sure I can execute my role for the team and I think in the second half I was able to do that, do my job and trust my instincts and play, using the lessons from four years ago. On Friday night I’m in a position to execute my role as best as I can.”
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This time last week the All Blacks were considered the underdog ahead of their clash with the Irish. Ireland had beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand twice last year, so they were more than deserving of the favourites moniker.
But a week is a long time in Test rugby. The All Blacks are favourites once again ahead of their next match, but Los Pumas will be no easy task.
Argentina beat the All Blacks for the first time ever in Sydney, Australia back in 2020, and backed that up with a historic win in Christchurch, New Zealand last year.
“We know how physical they are, especially among the forwards. How they run so hard, they scrum hard, drive hard. Everything is about physicality and winning those battles,” fullback Beauden Barrett said.
“Then you’ve got plenty of skill among their backs, speed, explosiveness. We are expecting anything to be fair.
“We can only analyse what games we have seen previously. We know defensively we have to be up for a physical battle and for them to come from the heart and we expect some silky footwork in the wide edges.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Best thing the Welsh clubs could do is apply to join Gallagher prem surely be more exciting matches for there support than they have now.
2 Go to commentsRugbyPass writers are useless! you guys should get a real job because you all suck at writing about rugby!!!
8 Go to commentslooking forward to RWC2027 …. Boks on mission impossible for the Three-in-a-row, ABs to prove they being on par, France wishing to crown the “DuPont-era”, Ireland knocking on the Semi-Door ….. until then we’ll probably have to deal with Weird Ben’s fantasy-RWC23 (fun fact is, the drivel always creates a flooding of comments) …..
221 Go to commentsBen Smith you really make some good points in this article, the Springboks were not close to perfect and good still beat the All Blacks, imagine if they were as good as they were against France what a hiding the All Blacks would have gotten… maybe another Twickenham drubbing
221 Go to commentsIt is a good argument to keep the Rebels for one more year but also isnt this just opening the door as well for keeping them beyond 2025. If they can create some sort of financial stability in the next year and if their performances lift as they have this season then how would RA even cull them after that? It might be the most cost effective decision at this stage and perhaps many people are guilty of keeping relationships going because of the cost to decouple but then again when does that ever work out well?
21 Go to commentsDear Ben Smith you are a genius! God please become the next all blacks coach that can take on the mighty BOKS. Your rugby acumen is second to none - imagine your dads sperm bounced as unfortunately as that oval ball did….we would not be blessed with your presence. Just as the all blacks were missing a man you too are missing a chromosome for 80% of your life, so your insights are not only profound but ring true from your own experiences. Just as the TMO interfered with citing an illegal pass I am sure your local authorities interfere with your illegal passes you make on women - How dare they!!! God forbid that rugby be officiated fairly. You are the right man for the job. Next all blacks coach is here ladies and gentlemen Miss Ben Smith (He/She/They/IT)
221 Go to commentsHuge engine this guy and great to see him back ..The amount of clean outs he does at the ruck are ridiculous !!
3 Go to commentsThe level of desperation in this article is just embarrassing.
221 Go to commentsSome silly trolling in the comments.
9 Go to commentsEverywhere you turn some irish journo is advocating Ireland as the greatest, reasoning that the wc is a 4 year cycle event so, they say wc doesn’t matter it’s the rugby in between that should account for the accolade. If there was no wc then some substance could be gained, however in my opinion the moment that defined Ireland’s fate against the abs was 37 phases of repeated head bashing against a brick wall. If a change in strategy or a tinker with the game plan was executed then things could've been vastly different. And to point a finger the let down was in the hands of the number 10.
65 Go to commentsI have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
21 Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
65 Go to commentsLove watching
1 Go to commentsThe Melbourne Rebels lineout is a complete disaster so not surprisingly a kiwi coach of the Wallabies hires the worst lineout coach in the country and a foreigner to boot. No surprises whatsoever here…….
6 Go to commentsThank your for wasting 2 minutes of my life Daniel. There is a useful message in there somewhere but your delivery sucks.
8 Go to commentsBen Smith, you are cry baby
221 Go to commentsSux that homophobia is still a thing though. I wonder how many players who could have become legends never kept playing rugby because they felt unwelcome.
8 Go to commentsCrazy he’s only 28, feel like he’s been around forever - don’t mind the move, safe pair of hands and creates depth in a thin position for ABs. Hopefully aides Kemara’s growth also without thrusting too much responsibility on him
1 Go to commentsMen should show strength and be mean, but they should be able to show emotion to those close yo them in certain times, birth of your child, death of family, proud moment. This article is stupid
8 Go to commentsWhat a weak article…absolute drivel and clickbait, well done. Will stick to rugby365 thanks
8 Go to comments