‘We are never scared’: All Blacks full of ‘belief’ before Ireland quarter-final

In just a matter of days, the All Blacks will take on World No. 1 Ireland in one of the most highly anticipated Rugby World Cup quarterfinals ever.

Ireland have never made it to the semi-finals. It’s a hoodoo or curse that has hung over their heads for decades, but as they look to bring a definitive end to this unwanted history the All Blacks stand in their way.

Thousands of travelling supporters will be in Ireland’s corner on Saturday in what will surely feel like a home game in Paris, but the All Blacks are the All Blacks after all.

But Andy Farrell’s Ireland have charged head-on at the All Blacks’ aura in the past and slain the beast. Ireland have won three of their last five meetings, including two Tests in New Zealand.

That unforgettable series triumph in New Zealand last year will echo throughout rugby history forever, but the past is the past and the All Blacks aren’t living in the fear of failure.

“We are never scared to lose,” centre Rieko Ioane told reporters on Tuesday. “If there are any questions in our belief, it is unwavering because we know what we have in this group. For myself, the fear of losing doesn’t ever cross my mind.

“On the motivation that this group has and the energy we thrive off of each other is motivation enough. We don’t like to take a glass-half-empty view on things.”

Knockout

11 - 12

Final

6 - 44

SF1

15 - 16

SF2

17 - 29

QF1

24 - 28

QF2

30 - 24

QF3

28 - 29

QF4

Ireland stated their tour of New Zealand with a disappointing 32-17 defeat to the Maori All Blacks in Hamilton before suiting up for the first Test. That didn’t go much better.

The All Blacks stormed home with an emphatic 42-19 win in Auckland which had the rugby world talking. New Zealand, it seemed, were back to their devastating best.

But in a best-of-three series, the Irish bounced back with a historic nine-point win in Dunedin and finally a 10-point victory at Sky Stadium in the capital.

Ireland had beaten the All Blacks for the first time ever on New Zealand soil at Forsyth Barr Stadium and created more history with a series win a week later.

“I think there is always going to be that hurt but this game on Saturday isn’t going to be about the emotion of last year,” Ioane added.

“It’s going to be about what we have built so far in this tournament… last year doesn’t matter when it comes to finals footy because the (best) team on the day will be the one (that wins).”