With the "Beau-unga" combination well and truly activated in the All Blacks' backline, backs coach Ian Foster has plenty of options when it comes to attacking plays.
But Foster told media after New Zealand's Rugby World Cup quarterfinal win over Ireland that none of those plays would work without the solid platform the All Blacks forwards are currently providing for the playmakers.
"We had to play well up front against this Irish team and if you don't, it's really hard to do some of the those special things that were happening out wide," Foster said.
"It was a game where we won the forward battle and that was probably where the battle was really won overall. The quality of the ball we got through scrums, lineouts and some of that ruck ball was outsanding.
"[It was] getting some of our boys on the front foot - it's what they want, what they dream of - and it was delivered to them today."
Beauden Barrett shone from fullback with Richie Mo'unga also putting in a strong performance in last night's 46-14 win over Ireland.
Barrett was named man-of-the-match though with an impressive stat line which included 69 metres gained, three clean breaks, three defenders beaten and a try, but others had big contributions as well.
Foster said the team had looked lively all week leading up to the match.
"You go into a game like this and you really work hard on your preparation," Foster said.
"We've had a really good week and the guys have had a bounce in their step and it wasn't a heavy week for them.
"You could see them wanting to play."
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