Forwards coach Ryan, Smith, Ioane (NZL): 'Are we scared of failure? No'

Comments from New Zealand forwards coach Jason Ryan, scrum-half Aaron Smith and centre Rieko Ioane at a media briefing on Tuesday.

Jason Ryan, forwards coach

On Joe Schmidt's knowledge of Ireland:

"Joe has been great in driving our game and what we can do better. He has really challenged the group, as we all have as coaches, and how the All Blacks can be better so there hasn't been any of that chat to be fair."

On Tyrel Lomax's injury:

"Yeah he's trained really well today, got through what he needed to and definitely he will be considered for selection."

On if it's important to have everyone fit:

"If you're heading to a final, which this is, it's important you have got the luxury of picking from a squad that is fully available which is what we want to be. Always going to get niggles but it's great in this player's point of view and in regards to Lowy [Lomax] it's great he has got through today. We have a pretty high intensive training on Thursday so he'll have to tick that off as well."

On if Ireland and New Zealand's different approaches to team selection throughout the tournament will have an effect on the game:

"We like to keep everyone hungry. I think it is important that everyone is competing in training and we have given everyone a crack in this World Cup. We are really clear on who our starting line-up is and it is full steam ahead for this final. This is where you want to be. It's where the players want to be, in a final. It's where you want to be as a coach and it's where the All Blacks want to be. That is an opportunity we are looking forward to against the number one team in the world."

On if the fear of failure if a motivator:

"The All Black jersey means a lot to us. We have talked a lot over the last few months over the legacy of the black jersey and what it means. You talk about someone like Sean Fitzpatrick, he properly set the All Blacks legacy alight with what he did. Are we scared of failure? No. But do we want embrace the legacy and what we want to achieve? Yes and we want to walk towards it."

Aaron Smith, scrum-half

On the rivalry with Ireland:

"My whole All Black career I have had very tough encounters against Ireland. They are who I debuted against so some fond memories for me. Ups and downs, wins and losses but they are a great team. They are the best team in the world and we are just really excited about the challenge, can't wait."

On if New Zealand will have beers with Ireland after the match:

"I think there is a mutual respect there, for sure jersey changes. Obviously there's a lot of experience in both groups, guys who have played each other a lot. So I'd say there would be a little bit of mingling but I think everyone knows the stakes of what is riding on this game. I know in 2019 it was quite good camaraderie afterwards, connecting. I wouldn't call it a hatred or anything like that. There is a definite mutual respect, two proud nations. Happiness and pain for how the result goes."

On if Ireland are a team New Zealand want to be playing like:

"Yes for sure. They have earned that right. Their record in the last few years has really proved that. But we are at a World Cup, we are playing in a final and it's all on the line. History is history and history is going to be created on Saturday and we will see who comes out on top."

On the Test series Ireland won:

"Last year matters in the sense of taking the learnings but I believe we are a totally different team to July last year. We have new coaches, as a group that series really galvanised us and I can't wait for Saturday."

On if the fear of failure if a motivator:

"My energy is pushed more towards the opportunity that is in front of us. The excitement of what we can control as a group, if you're held down by the weight of the past you won't be able to do anything. You won't be able to play well, you'd be too scared to try anything. To trust your instincts. Being free, being energised with intent and there is plenty of intent for this weekend. I don't think there is the burden or the statistics or the weight on us like that. It is a final at a World Cup for us and we are ready to go."

On getting revenge on Ireland:

"I don't see it as that, sorry. My answer will be quite boring. I see it as a chance to take on the best team in the world at a World Cup."

On if he is happy New Zealand are playing Ireland in the quarter-final:

"It's how the cards fell and yeah I am happy."

Rieko Ioane, centre

On how Joe Schmidt has helped the team:

"Joe sees the game in a very detailed view. I think, especially with us backs, working out trends in other teams' attack and defence is what separates him and the details he goes into. I think for us trying to find those one per centers can be quite hard, but with Joe he makes the view of the game a lot easier by the way he understands it. He has definitely helped us quite a bit."

On if there is hurt in the group from losing the Test series to Ireland:

"I think there is always going to be that hurt but this game on Saturday isn't going to be about the emotion of last year. It's going to be about what we have built so far in this tournament and as Nuggy [Smith] touched on, last year doesn't matter when it comes to finals footy because the team on the day will be the one."

On if the fear of failure if a motivator:

"We are never scared to lose. If there are any questions in our belief, it is unwavering because we know what we have in this group. For myself the fear of losing doesn't ever cross my mind. On the motivation that this group has and the energy we thrive off of each other is motivation enough. We don't like to take a glass half empty view on things."