All Blacks look to refresh ahead of semifinal
Knowing the challenge of backing up an outstanding performance with another winning effort is heightened for the All Blacks ahead of their Rugby World Cup semifinal with Argentina in Paris on Saturday (NZT).
Last year, after their big backs-to-the-wall win over South Africa in Johannesburg, the All Blacks returned home to lose 18-25 to Argentina on home soil for the first time.
That Argentina is involved again is a timely reminder of their need to be in tune with the semifinal demands.
It also helps that Argentina performed so well in the last World Cup in France in 2007 when also reaching the semifinals and claiming the bronze medal by beating the hosts 34-10 for the second time in the tournament.
All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan said they were happy to have shown the required attitude in knockout rugby against Ireland; the margin wasn't so significant. It was about getting across the line, and he felt the players showed a lot of care and courage.
Facing their semifinal with Argentina, they had to balance coming down off a high-octane performance while utilising the shot of confidence they took from the outcome without being arrogant about it.
They would prepare for Argentina, a different team than Ireland, and from the side, they played in the Rugby Championship, remembering it was knockout rugby.
"In finals, you build those weeks to be at your best mentally and physically at the end of the week. That will be a big part of how we prepare this week."
With one day less to prepare, the same situation faced Argentina; it was a case of remembering they were not going to get any fitter at this stage of the tournament. That emphasised freshening the minds and sharpening the mental space while ensuring the players recovered.
Ryan said there would be some talk about their loss to Argentina in Christchurch last year. They had learnt a lot from that game. However, the All Blacks were a different team, and so were Argentina.
"The last time we played them they put a lot of work into their 'D' [defence] and to slow our ball down. We'll make sure we readdress that and not assume anything."
Argentina would be bolstered by several players unavailable for their 12-41 loss in the Test in Mendoza earlier this year.
France's loss was a reminder that in knockout rugby, nothing was guaranteed.
Ryan acknowledged lock Sam Whitelock's contribution to the side after 151 Tests.
"He is such a calming influence. He can put the room on a pretty good edge when he needs to but with that game, having him out at the end, some of his messages that he was working with Skip [Sam Cane] and the other leaders Ardie [Savea] and Richie [Mo'unga], it's totally invaluable."
With his involvement at the Crusaders, Ryan said he and Whitelock had enjoyed some great and robust discussions.
"He makes me a better coach. He makes sure that I'm on and I challenge him to be better, even though he's played 151-odd Tests, he still wants to be better."