New Zealand star insists they are 'different team' to when they lost to Ireland

Ireland take on New Zealand this weekend in the World Cup quarter-final.

Scrum-half Aaron Smith insists New Zealand are a completely different team to the one defeated by Ireland in 2022 and dismissed talk of revenge ahead of a mouth-watering World Cup quarter-final.

The 34-year-old has little interest in the past and is fully focused on writing a new chapter in the history books on Saturday evening in Paris.“But I believe we’re a totally different team to July last year. We’ve got new coaches and as a group that series really galvanised us. I can’t wait for Saturday to see what happens.

The milestone achievement also kick-started a remarkable run of 17 successive victories for the Six Nations Grand Slam holders. “My energy is pushed towards more the opportunity that’s in front of us,” said Smith, who helped knock out Ireland in Tokyo four years ago by claiming two of seven Kiwi tries.“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’ll be too scared to do anything, to try things, to trust your instincts.“I don’t think there’s the burden or the statistics or the weight on us like that.

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