Conor Murray (IRE) - 'This is the biggest game I have ever played'

Comments from Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray as they prepare to face New Zealand in the quarter-finals at Stade de France on Saturday, 14 October.

Conor Murray, scrum-half:

On the prospect of finally winning a RWC quarter-final:

“We’ve talked about what we’ve done over the last number of years and the level of performance we’ve been able to achieve – the big wins and things like that. It gives us lots of belief in terms of the ability we have in the squad and what we can do. On the other side, there’s enough of us in the room that know how tough these quarter-finals are to win. It all comes down to on the day.

"We’ve done good things over the past few years so we feel in a good space in terms of what we can deliver. You don’t really know what’s going to come with the All Blacks. You have an idea, but with people like Joe [Schmidt] behind the scenes, we’ve got to be ready for things we might not expect. We’re in as good a position as we’ve ever been, but we know how tough it’s going to be.”

On whether it’s the best experience he has had with Irish fans abroad:

“Yeh, I think so. I was chatting with Scotland’s Chris Harris after the game and he was saying ‘your fans are a thing now, people are talking about them’. A lot of us have been around a while and played big matches in big stadiums, but this is definitely another level. The songs they’re starting to sing are kind of taking over.

"Getting a win and being able to hear that again is a little part of your motivation, to keep those fans turning up who have gone deep into their pockets week after week. They deserve something special and it definitely gives us a lift. It really feels like a home game in that stadium [Stade de France] at the moment.”

On whether he likes hearing ‘Zombie’ sung by the fans:

“Yeh, it is one we get behind. Bundee [Aki] thinks they’re singing ‘Bundee, Bundee’, but they’re definitely not.”

On how much Johnny Sexton is enjoying his final campaign and soaking up the atmosphere:

“He’s a nightmare on the pitch! Firstly, Johnny is playing unbelievably. Any player when they’re playing well is in a better mood around the place. Johnny is obviously an unbelievable leader of the team. He expects really high standards of himself. Whatever age he is, he is playing some of the best rugby of his life. He kind of reflects the mood of the camp.

"I don’t know how many times I’ve said how enjoyable it is with the environment we have created, so he is just another player loving life at the moment. As ‘Faz’ [head coach Andy Farrell] says, ‘right now, this is living’. We are in an extremely privileged position, with all the fans coming over to support us. It is a truly special place to be and part of the motivation to keep things going.”

On how he thinks the All Blacks have changed since losing a test series to Ireland last year:

“Every team likes to evolve and improve game on game, year on year and the All Blacks are no different. What happened last summer was incredible, a really special tour and series win. But we’ve done a lot of analysis and they have definitely improved and grown their game since that series. If you stand still in the modern era, you are going to be left behind.

"Both teams have had development. I have played against the All Blacks when we have beaten them, then played them a week later and they are a completely different animal. Will there be a reaction and will they use that series as motivation? I’m sure there will be. They will be coming out with a point to prove.”

On the impact of new players like Mack Hansen and Jimmy O’Brien coming in since the last RWC:

“2019 was a tough World Cup for all of us. We had to dust ourselves off and get rid of that scar tissue and move on, whereas these guys have come into a really good environment. Winning more often than not is something they are used to. Although Jimmy is coming onto the bench in a huge game, he is used to it and has delivered in the past in the caps he has had. Those lads coming in have added a freshness and fearlessness that drives us on to chase success and expect the win.”  

On what the All Blacks would be saying about the Irish team:

“I’m not sure. Traditionally the All Blacks focus on themselves and what they can do and the standards they hold themselves to. But there is a bit of respect there now. Over the last number of years we’ve had great tussles with them. When I started my international career, playing New Zealand was really daunting, and still is. But did we really expect to beat them? That’s questionable, whereas now there is definitely a bit more belief, with the understanding of how good they are and how hard it is to beat them. But there is definitely a respect there on both sides.”

On what it would mean for Ireland to reach a first ever RWC semi-final:

“It would mean everything. On the outside that has been a talking point that we have never got there. But within the group, this is a different team and our capabilities are different. But to get to that point would be everything. This weekend is the biggest game I have ever played, and it is the same for everyone in the group. To get through that would be a huge moment, a huge milestone.

“It is such a special group we have and it is something we are chasing, something we would absolutely love to do for ourselves and for the fans who are here and at home. You can’t get away from how hard it is going to be, but it would mean the world to all of us to get to that next stage.”

On how the New Zealand-born players in the Irish squad might feel about knocking out the All Blacks:

“Those three boys [James Lowe, Bundee Aki and Jamison Gibson-Park] are so important to our squad. They took the chance to come over here and start a new life for themselves and prove themselves. All three have really done so. They are three world-class players who we are going to rely on heavily.

"They have performed unbelievably well in this competition, particularly Bundee. He has been playing the rugby of his life. He can come across as a bit of a messer, but behind the scenes Bundee is incredible, the level of detail he goes into – he is always on the computer, trying to figure things out.  He’s actually a smart fella, believe it or not!

"The New Zealand thing hasn’t really been mentioned. They are part of our Irish team now and they’re really important to us. I’m sure there’s a part of them who’ll give a little bit extra to get one over on their place of birth, but they’re fully part of our Irish squad now.”