‘Not what I want to be saying’: All Black admits Ireland are world’s ‘best team’

Two days out from the All Blacks’ date with destiny in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals, playmaker Richie Mo’unga admitted that Ireland “are the best team in the world.”

As Mo’unga mentioned, “the numbers don’t lie.” Ireland are on a 17-Test unbeaten run and they’ll be full of confidence after claiming a historic series win over the All Blacks in New Zealand last year.

Ireland are deserving of the ‘favourites’ tag going into Saturday’s blockbuster at Stade de France. With thousands of Irish fans expected to attend, they’ll have plenty of support in their corner as well.

But the All Blacks have an “opportunity” to silence some doubters and make their own history at the Parisian venue. For a team that’s come under immense scrutiny and pressure over the last 18 months or so, the New Zealanders can right some wrongs with a victory on Saturday.

"Yeah, the numbers don't lie, they are the best team in the world. It's obviously not what I want to be saying in front of you all today. But those are the facts,” Mo’unga told reporters on Thursday.

"But the beauty is we have the opportunity on Saturday to play them. That's just the real exciting thing about this week, there's no more lives, no more chances.

“The playing fields are equal when we get out on the pitch. Who's prepared the best, put in the most work and who's had those conversations about small details around strategy and what-not at the lineout or scrum. It will all show on Saturday."

Some of the All Blacks are still feeling the hurt from their heartbreaking defeat to Eddie Jones’ England in the 2019 semi-final in Japan. The players looked distraught as they walked through the mixed zone that day, and it appears that hurt has stuck with them.

The All Blacks’ fall from grace has continued during the next World Cup cycle. To name a couple of disappointing results, they lost to both Ireland and Argentina at home for the first time ever.

But a return to the semi-finals is on the cards. The All Blacks are eager to seize the day as they look to “stamp our mark” against the world’s top-ranked side in Ireland.

"That's a big part of our motivation. Another big part is what happened four years ago in a semi-final,” Mo’unga continued.

"It's a huge motivation for myself. You know, quarter-final win and riding high and then probably not resetting back to zero for that semi, so that's a really big learning for us as a team. And also, just how brutal World Cups can be and how it's real small things and moments in the game.

"The other motivation is just the statement that we want to make about the 2023 All Blacks team. Probably the biggest motivator is knowing what we are capable of and knowing the opportunity that lies ahead and wanting to stamp our mark and really fulfil the potential that this team has."