As Ireland will be without Kiwi centre Bundee Aki for this weekend's Rugby World Cup quarter-final against the All Blacks, their opposition are sympathetic towards their former countryman.
Aki, 29, has been handed a three-match ban by World Rugby following his red card in pool play against Manu Samoa, ending his World Cup.
With the initial 48 hour window to appeal the decision shrinking, the All Blacks have sympathised with Aki's plight.
"Obviously, you've gotta feel for him," Matt Todd says.
"[It's] disappointing to see a guy scratched out of the tournament and that, but it's been consistent with how they've ruled with those incidents so far.
"Ireland are a quality squad, they've got depth in the midfield, whatever squad they go with will be a tough pairing."
Assistant coach Ian Foster meanwhile, is confident that the right decision has been reached, even if it wipes out Aki's reunion with the nation of his heritage.
"[It's] pretty consistent with what else we've seen at the tournament," Foster told media.
"They've got some great midfielders, he's one of them. You've got [Robbie] Henshaw, [Garry] Ringrose, [Chris] Farrell.
"They've got a number of really good players."
SHARE ME