Foster, Jordan, Fainga'anuku chat ahead of Ireland clash

Ian Foster, head coach

On how they will approach the game:

"We've got to nail things that we've been growing in our game. Rugby is a simple game in play-offs, it's about control through your set-piece, it's about having confidence to execute your game plan and not tighten up and the discipline side - How to control yourself when the pressure's on. That's three things I'd give you. But big games are always about that and we know that. We have got to be at our best."

On the prospect of potentially playing extra-time:

"We played heads and tails with Will [Jordan] and Leicester [Fainga'anuku] in the van coming here to see who would be the goal-kicker. Leicester wasn't sure so you might find Will Jordan. We have got a plan for it, though we haven't spent a lot of time on it.  The fact is you cannot 100 per cent plan who will be on the field at the end so there are a whole lot of variables. Let's just get it done in 80, eh. Keep things simple, keep the broadcasters happy." 

On why he believes New Zealand can win the game:

"The work they have done, the work we have put in in the last three or four months really. We've always known coming to this World Cup that assuming we did the business in the pool, it was most likely Ireland or South Africa. Either way you have got a monster quarter-final. It's not like this is a surprise. Mentally we have been ready for it and mentally we know that we have to prepare a week at a time.

"I have full belief in this group. If you look at the quarter-finals, there are going to be four quality teams that won't be in the semi-finals ands we 're pretty determined that we're not one of them.
We know it is going to be a massive game. The only way to go into these games is believing in your game and who you are, and we do."

On whether he is relaxed going into the game:

"I am always relaxed when we've prepared well and we have. I enjoyed watching the players prepare this week, they're keen. We know what's ahead of us, I can't wait."

On if winger Mark Tele'a will be available if New Zealand progress to the semi-finals ,having been dropped for disciplinary reasons:

"He will be available."

On whether having rotated their players more than Ireland in the pool stage will be an advantage:

"Everyone has different strategies, everyone has had different draws. We had a number of players unavailable for the first few games of the tournament which changed our strategy a bit. I think they are used to that. 

"They have been a very set combination for the past two or three years at club and international level and the journeys each of us has taken the last three or four years to get here with the world situation, quarantines, travel, that changed everything.

"What we do know is that we are fit and strong. In some cases we have got guys who have not played enough. There's strengths and weaknesses for both the strategies. The good thing about play-off rugby is that it doesn't matter. People just want to get out there and play.

"We know it is going to be a full-on game. Hopefully a fast game. We'd like that. If it tests everyone's legs, we will be happy with that."

On a story about Ireland potentially having a photographer at the All Blacks training session: 

"I never heard of it. I haven't seen any little photographer hiding under bushes at our training. I don't mean to be flippant, but I never heard of it. Tense old time, isn't it."

On Will Jordan's try scoring record against Ireland: 

"How many tries in how many games? Three in three? I like that. Look, he's got a pretty good strike rate and look, Will's a quality player. He's done a fantastic job for us. He's got the ability to sniff out opportunities and is growing massively with his influence in this team off the park. He's a key part of our group. He loves scoring tries but he also loves contributing in the other areas of the game too, which is equally important. I wouldn't mind him keeping that strike rate up, that would be nice." 

On what his final message to his players will be: 

"I've probably already given them my final message: really, I just think trust themselves, trust the work we've done as a group and trust the work we've done on the field and off the field and go out and express yourself. Quarter-finals, we don't want to die wondering, you don't want to go in your shell, you still want to play our game and it's important to us that we do."

On the influence of assistant coach Joe Schmidt, the former Ireland head coach, this week:

"Look, I think no more than normal. Joe's been awesome since he joined us last year. I think the information and the different coaching background that he had, he's been able to bring that influence in from the middle of last year. So, there's been nothing more, it hasn't been heavily loaded towards his insight into Irish rugby. 

"In a funny old way, when you get into the play-offs, it's actually become more and more about us than probably what you think. And I am sure Ireland's the same. They've got a lot of belief in their game, we've got a lot belief in ours. So for us it's about mastery of what we do and making some adaptions based on the opposition we play. 

"I am sure there will be some mixed emotions for Joe in some ways. He's very passionate, he loved his time in Ireland and it was a very special time for him. But he's loving his time in this team too and we're enjoying having him."

Will Jordan, wing

On what he is expecting from Ireland: 

"I think clearly defensively we will be challenged a little bit. The structures, the way they play with guys swinging round and lots of short passing has caused us a few problems in the past. So, we've spent a bit of time working on that this week. 

"I guess in terms of finals footy as a whole, it's just about nailing the basic skillsets under pressure. Across the backline and the whole team, that's been a big focus. That will be big tomorrow night."

On any damage that may have been done recently to the All Blacks' aura:

"I don't know about that side of it. I know that tomorrow is a hugely important match for this team and our goals and what we want to achieve. There's obviously no Monday if things don't go well."

On wanting to win for all the All Blacks who will retire from test rugby at the end of this tournament:

"It would be huge. We've got a large number of guys who've given a lot to the jersey who are in their final campaign and you can see through their actions and their care towards the journey what it means to them. Certainly, that motivates us to keep them going. Everyone's got their own motivations around what they want to achieve but that's definitely a big one for a lot of us." 

On Ireland wing James Lowe, who he played with as a youngster: 

"He is a very diverse winger and footballer, he's really rounded his game really well. Obviously Ireland use him to exit a lot with his left foot and he pops up around the park a lot as well. He used to give me plenty of stick when we were playing together in Tasman so there might be a bit of chipping going on. 

"But no, he's a quality player and will be popping up all over the park, so trying to limit his involvement as much as possible."

Leicester Fainga'anuku, winger 

On how he is feeling about the game:

"It's the pinnacle of my career.  Every player, this is where they dream of being. It's an opportunity to go out there and represent our nation. It's an opportunity I do not take for granted. As a collective, we want to earn ourselves another week and get closer to the World Cup."

On hearing he was playing:

"For me the first great opportunity was being named to come over and participate in a World Cup and represent my nation. To be in this environment and this tournament is a massive pleasure. In our environment and brotherhood, whether you are in the 23 or not, you have the same purpose, same respect. To get here today didn't take just the 23, it took the whole squad. Heading into tomorrow those boys that have the opportunity to play in the 23 are only showcasing the backbone of our squad."

On if he will sleep tonight:

"Same as usual.  Wake up tomorrow excited. Excitement has been building right through the week and tomorrow night you'll see that."

On playing against Ireland, having made his debut against them in 2022:

"It's going to have its benefits. We know the way the Irish are going to play and it's something we have been building towards the last few weeks. In our camp there's a lot of confidence in the work that's been done. We're excited and we have to put that into action tomorrow.

"We've been through what we needed to go through and we are a side that has taken a lot of learnings, a lot of confidence and come tomorrow night we are not going to shy away from the opportunities we get."