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‘Not what I want to be saying’: All Black admits Ireland are world’s ‘best team’
Two days out from the All Blacks’ date with destiny in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals, playmaker Richie Mo’unga admitted that Ireland “are the best team in the world.”
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As Mo’unga mentioned, “the numbers don’t lie.” Ireland are on a 17-Test unbeaten run and they’ll be full of confidence after claiming a historic series win over the All Blacks in New Zealand last year.
Ireland are deserving of the ‘favourites’ tag going into Saturday’s blockbuster at Stade de France. With thousands of Irish fans expected to attend, they’ll have plenty of support in their corner as well.
But the All Blacks have an “opportunity” to silence some doubters and make their own history at the Parisian venue. For a team that’s come under immense scrutiny and pressure over the last 18 months or so, the New Zealanders can right some wrongs with a victory on Saturday.
“Yeah, the numbers don’t lie, they are the best team in the world. It’s obviously not what I want to be saying in front of you all today. But those are the facts,” Mo’unga told reporters on Thursday.
“But the beauty is we have the opportunity on Saturday to play them. That’s just the real exciting thing about this week, there’s no more lives, no more chances.
“The playing fields are equal when we get out on the pitch. Who’s prepared the best, put in the most work and who’s had those conversations about small details around strategy and what-not at the lineout or scrum. It will all show on Saturday.”
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Some of the All Blacks are still feeling the hurt from their heartbreaking defeat to Eddie Jones’ England in the 2019 semi-final in Japan. The players looked distraught as they walked through the mixed zone that day, and it appears that hurt has stuck with them.
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Wins
2
Draws
0
Wins
3
Average Points scored
22
30
First try wins
40%
Home team wins
40%
The All Blacks’ fall from grace has continued during the next World Cup cycle. To name a couple of disappointing results, they lost to both Ireland and Argentina at home for the first time ever.
But a return to the semi-finals is on the cards. The All Blacks are eager to seize the day as they look to “stamp our mark” against the world’s top-ranked side in Ireland.
“That’s a big part of our motivation. Another big part is what happened four years ago in a semi-final,” Mo’unga continued.
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“It’s a huge motivation for myself. You know, quarter-final win and riding high and then probably not resetting back to zero for that semi, so that’s a really big learning for us as a team. And also, just how brutal World Cups can be and how it’s real small things and moments in the game.
“The other motivation is just the statement that we want to make about the 2023 All Blacks team. Probably the biggest motivator is knowing what we are capable of and knowing the opportunity that lies ahead and wanting to stamp our mark and really fulfil the potential that this team has.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Think it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
1 Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
5 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
5 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
5 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
5 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
3 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
3 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
237 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
4 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
90 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
20 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
30 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
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