Rugby
1News

All Blacks didn't have an Irish monkey on their shoulder heading into quarter-final, Steve Hansen says

October 20, 2019

Hansen said the team's recent form against Ireland wasn't discussed in the build-up to last night's Test.

Entering last night's quarter-final, there were plenty of storylines to look at between the All Blacks and Ireland.

Both sides had been ranked No.1 this year, both had Kiwi coaches, both had World Rugby player of the year recipients - there was a plethora of options.

But the one most were discussing was Ireland's recent success against the All Blacks who had won two of the last three Tests between the two nations.

However, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said that topic wasn't raised by his team heading into the match.

"I don't know if you can call it a monkey but we got reminded and reminded and reminded and reminded that we'd lost to Ireland," Hansen said.

"All Blacks teams don't need to be reminded that they've lost two games to Ireland out of 38 - they know that and they don't forget.

"We remember our loses way more than we remember the wins. It's banked, it's not something that you go and talk about but everyone knows it."

With last night's win, the All Blacks next play England in the semi-finals - a side they've only seen once in the last four years, which New Zealand won 16-15 win at Twickenham last November.

SHARE ME

More Stories