The two consecutive defeats against South Africa (7-35), on August 25 in the final preparation match and against France at the opening of the World Cup on September 9 (13-27) seem like ancient history . The Blacks have found color in recent weeks. Authors of eleven tries against the overwhelmed Namibians, they planted fourteen in the Italians’ goal, defeated 96-17. Before a walk in the park against Uruguay (73-0, eleven tries scored). Speaking to Sky Sports, New Zealand coach Ian Foster warned after the demonstration against Italy: “We wanted to send a message, and we felt that we needed to rebuild momentum in this tournament.” Carried by double world champion and second row Sam Whitelock (on the bench against Ireland this Saturday) and his record 152 caps, the All Blacks recalled that they had remained undefeated for eleven matches during the Rugby Championship this summer before the two hiccups against South Africa and France.
Even if after the Blues, Foster’s men did not have to force their talent against expiatory victims, the stats speak for them. New Zealand are the second team in the Top 8 to carry the most balls (134.8), cover the most meters (752.5) and make the most crossings (16.0), and she beats the greatest number of defenders on average per match (39.0). Damian McKenzie (2.7) and Leicester Fainga’anuku (2.8) are 2 of the 3 players to have more than 2.5 involvements in a try with Damian Penaud. Since the start of the World Cup, the All Blacks have scored 38 tries, they are the most offensive team in the tournament. In 2011, the year of their coronation, they scored 36 during their group matches. A sign ? “We have rebuilt well and I am satisfied with our progress,” said the Kiwis coach. The key to any experience is to accept your mistakes and move forward. I think that’s what we did.”
It remains to be seen how the Kiwis will manage their chronic indiscipline (they had accumulated twelve penalties against France) and their ability to impose their domination against the best team in the world today. Despite going it alone against Uruguay, they were hampered in the rucks for a long time. The doubts are not all dispelled when it comes time to face the Irish scarecrow and its 17 victories in a row. The pain is still raw. The Kiwis were humiliated in 2022 at home twice by the Irish during the summer tour. The latter have beaten them five times in their last eight confrontations, but it was the last two losses at home which particularly traumatized the Blacks.
Something to haunt minds: “Many of us want to take our revenge. The memory of last year is still painful,” admits fullback Beauden Barrett. “In 2022, we had a bad start to the season, but above all we came across a world number one team who played very well,” continues Ian Foster. We got a slap, and that’s fine: it was a good lesson. Since then, we have rebuilt well and I am satisfied with our progress. For scrum-half Aaron Smith: “We have to play liberated, with maximum energy and intentions this weekend. There is no burden or numbers weighing on us.” Also remember the beautiful things. “We are the last team to beat them [the All Blacks], at Eden Park (42-19 in the summer of 2022)” recalls Foster. In 2019, Joe Schmidt’s Club fifteen, now assistant coach… of New Zealand, suffered a severe correction (46 -14, 22 -0 at half-time) at this same stage of the competition. Black magic could still give headaches to the current best team in the world, desperately seeking a first final four in a World Cup…