Revitalised All Blacks aiming to slay World Cup demons of Yokohama

Scrum-half Aaron Smith, a veteran of the 2019 semi-final nightmare, says New Zealand will not make same mistakes.

FRESH FUEL: New Zealand’s Aaron Smith: The messaging this week has been about taking learnings. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Plenty of water has flowed down the River Seine since New Zealand’s opening pool defeat to France. Losing to the host nation, under a head coach heading for the exit, was not an auspicious start and several rivals were looking ominous. Fast forward six weeks, and they are now back under the Friday night lights of Saint-Denis with self-belief significantly restored.

In some ways this week has been less about whether the All Blacks can reach a fifth World Cup final and more about being firmly back in control of their own destiny. Their shattering 2019 semi-final defeat to England remains fresh enough in the memory to take nothing for granted but, equally, it was a salutary experience that continues to be felt by many of their senior players.