The ghost of 2019 haunting All Blacks
SPOTLIGHT: Memories of being dumped by England during the World Cup semifinal in Japan four years ago will be a driving force for the All Blacks team that will take on Argentina in Paris this Friday.
Fresh from an emphatic 28-24 quarterfinal win over Ireland, New Zealand are looking to qualify for their fifth World Cup final with a victory over Argentina.
The All Blacks head into the encounter as favourites. However, hooker Dane Coles has warned his team not to get to carried away, especially given their shock 7-19 semifinal defeat to England during the 2019 showpiece.
“It’s good to be here,” Coles said, adding: “The boys put in a massive effort, we put a lot into that week, and we’re proud, but it’s time to reset and go again.
“What we did last week is going to mean stuff all if we don’t back it up. That’s the challenge of Test footy, that’s the challenge of being at a World Cup and, as leaders, we’ve got to make sure these boys [new players] see that.
“Regardless of who you are playing, you are playing in the semifinal and if you don’t turn up you’re in for a week that tests you mentally, physically and emotionally.”
#SPOTLIGHT: One component that can help @AllBlacks win the title #rugby #sports #RWC2023 #semifinal https://t.co/fgjoHn1NLc
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) October 17, 2023
Los Pumas passion
New Zealand have only lost twice to the Los Pumas, and both defeats – in Sydney in 2020 and Christchurch last year – were under current head coach Ian Foster.
Coles said Argentina has become a more direct team with their runners and a set-piece game.
They were passionate and used the ball, and while they had played them a lot, Coles revealed World Cups were different, and they would turn up with passion and desire to beat the All Blacks.
“We know how World Cups go, and it’s not so long ago that we lost to them in New Zealand for the first time,” the hooker said.
“We know they’re in a good spot and they turn up and are a physical team.”
Reflecting on the quarterfinal, Coles said he had never been involved in a game like the Ireland game; one sequence had gone for six minutes. The intent of the players and the way they played for each other was backed by those who came off the bench.
“We’ve got to do it all again this week and be even better. It was a great game to be part of.”
Meanwhile, it has been reported that wing Mark Telea could return for the semifinal against Argentina.
Telea missed the quarterfinal against Ireland after Foster dropped for a breach of team protocol.
Source: @AllBlacks & Stuff
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