Aaron Smith warns Ireland of a ‘totally different’ All Blacks beast
New Zealand scrum-half Aaron Smith behind maul.
Scrum-half Aaron Smith has warned Ireland the All Blacks are a “totally different team” to the one that lost the mid-year series on New Zealand soil in 2022.
The Irish came out on top in the three-match series over a year ago, and that has, as expected, been a hot topic in the build-up to this World Cup quarter-final.
Furthermore, Ireland holds a strong recent record against the All Blacks, having won three out of their four meetings since Andy Farrell took charge of the side.
Learnings from last year
But scrum-half Smith, who started each of the three Tests in New Zealand in 2022, is only looking forward as he feels the All Blacks are now vastly improved.
“Last year matters in the sense of taking the learnings,” said the veteran.
“But I believe we’re a totally different team to July last year. We’ve got new coaches, and as a group, that series really galvanised us. I can’t wait for Saturday to see what happens.
“We’re at a World Cup, we’re playing in a final, and it’s all on the line. History is history, and history’s going to get created on Saturday, and we’ll see who comes out on top.”
Smith was part of the All Blacks team that knocked Ireland out of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, but the Irish have since become the number-one side in the world.
Defeat on Saturday would see this All Blacks group become the first Kiwi team to crash out at the quarter-final stage, but Smith has no fear ahead of the fixture.
“My energy is pushed towards more the opportunity that’s in front of us,” he said.
“The excitement of what we can control as a group.
Trust your instincts
“If you’re held down by the weight of the past, you won’t be able to do anything; you won’t be able to play well; you’ll be too scared to do anything, to try things, to trust your instincts.
“Being free, being energised with intent (is important) – and there’s plenty of intent and want this weekend.
“I don’t think there’s the burden or the statistics or the weight on us like that. It’s a final at a World Cup for us, and we’re ready to go.”
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