Aaron Smith draws inspiration from 2019 ‘pain’ after emotional quarter-final

Aaron Smith burst into tears after the All Blacks’ thrilling 28-24 quarter-final win over Ireland last weekend, with the halfback turning to wing Will Jordan for an emotional embrace at Stade de France.

New Zealand had overcome doubters and the underdog tag to beat the world’s top-ranked side to keep their World Cup dream alive. The All Blacks were moving on, and you could see how much it meant to the team and their supporters.

In the days that followed, videos began to surface online of supporters back in New Zealand celebrating in a pure state of euphoria in the early hours of Sunday morning. That result meant a lot, but it’s only one Test.

The All Blacks have a date with destiny on Friday night when they take on southern hemisphere rivals Argentina for a spot in the Rugby World Cup final. New Zealand reached this stage at the 2019 tournament but fell over an English hurdle.

Four years ago, the All Blacks beat Ireland 46-14 in the quarter-finals at Tokyo Stadium but went on to lose their semi-final against England.

While the pain, disappointment and frustration of that defeat may never go away the All Blacks are looking to take “those learnings” into another defining clash this week.

“Just remembering the pain of it is a big driver, especially for a few of us boys who’re there. That feeling helped us reset after what was an emotional game [against Ireland] and everything on the line week last week,” Aaron Smith told reporters on Wednesday.

“That’s been the big lesson for us, taking the positives, acknowledging the step we took and how much that cost on the body, physically and emotionally, and rebuilding and finding the edge for what is another huge game for us and an opportunity for us to push forward in this comp 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,” Smith added.

“Going into this game I really want to start better [than he did against Ireland]. My execution was off for a good chunk of that game and it cost the team dearly with a yellow card, and my first two passes found no one.

“So I’m trying to make sure I can execute my role for the team and I think in the second half I was able to do that, do my job and trust my instincts and play, using the lessons from four years ago. On Friday night I’m in a position to execute my role as best as I can.”

This time last week the All Blacks were considered the underdog ahead of their clash with the Irish. Ireland had beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand twice last year, so they were more than deserving of the favourites moniker.

But a week is a long time in Test rugby. The All Blacks are favourites once again ahead of their next match, but Los Pumas will be no easy task.

Argentina beat the All Blacks for the first time ever in Sydney, Australia back in 2020, and backed that up with a historic win in Christchurch, New Zealand last year.

“We know how physical they are, especially among the forwards. How they run so hard, they scrum hard, drive hard. Everything is about physicality and winning those battles,” fullback Beauden Barrett said.

“Then you’ve got plenty of skill among their backs, speed, explosiveness. We are expecting anything to be fair.

“We can only analyse what games we have seen previously. We know defensively we have to be up for a physical battle and for them to come from the heart and we expect some silky footwork in the wide edges.”