Scrum-half Aaron Smith, a veteran of the 2019 semi-final nightmare, says New Zealand will not make same mistakes
Aaron Smith is one of several All Blacks set to feature against Argentina who also played in the 2019 semi-final defeat.Aaron Smith is one of several All Blacks set to feature against Argentina who also played in the 2019 semi-final defeat.lenty of water has flowed down the River Seine since New Zealand’s opening pool defeat to France. Losing to the host nation, under a head coach heading for the exit, was not an auspicious start and several rivals were looking ominous.
“That’s been the big lesson for us … acknowledging how much that cost on the body, physically and emotionally. It’s about rebuilding and finding the edge for what is another huge game and an opportunity to push forward in this competition, which is our ultimate dream. I’m an emotional person and I use things to fuel me. I remember being in the same position four years ago and we didn’t get it right that night. The messaging this week has been about taking those learnings.
The All Blacks have scored five tries in five of their past seven matches against Argentina since the start of 2020 but their head coach, Ian Foster, has learned from past experience that World Cups can be a very different story. “We don’t live in the past,” he insisted, as his side completed their final preparations. “Rugby World Cups are about the present. If you go into a World Cup semi-final thinking the past is going to happen again, you have got problems.
From his vantage point at full‑back, Beauden Barrett is also expecting a full-on contest, at the breakdown and aerially. “We know how physical they are, especially among the forwards,” said Barrett. “They run hard, scrum hard, drive hard … everything is about physicality and winning those battles. We know defensively we have to be up for that.”New Zealand are also smart enough to know that Argentina also have other weapons.
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