RUEIL-MALMAISON, France (Reuters) – New Zealand scrumhalf Aaron Smith expressed his determination to deliver an improved performance in the World Cup semi-final on Friday. He acknowledged that his erratic display in the quarter-final against Ireland could have cost his team dearly. Smith, a rugby great and a World Cup winner from eight years ago, admitted to a slow start at the Stade de France and a subsequent sin-bin offense that let his team down.
The All Blacks managed to secure a 28-24 victory against Ireland, earning them a place in the semi-finals.
Looking ahead to Friday’s match against Argentina at the same venue, Smith stated, “Going into this game, I really want to start better. My execution was off for a good chunk of the last game, and I cost our team dearly with a yellow card and my first two passes found no one. Personally, I’m just trying to make sure I can execute my role for the team. In the second half, I was able to do that, do my job, trust my instincts, and play. So, using the energy and lessons from four years ago, and just making sure I’m in a position to execute my role as best as I can.”
Smith, who will be joining a club in Japan after the World Cup, is one of 12 squad members who experienced a 19-7 defeat to England in the semi-finals four years ago in Yokohama.
Reflecting on the pain of that loss, Smith shared, “In the sense of just remembering the pain of it, probably, is a big driver, especially for a few of us boys who were there. That feeling probably helped us reset after what was quite an emotional everything-on-the line week last week. That’s been the big lesson for us, taking the positives, acknowledging the step we took and how much that cost. Body, physically, emotionally, and mentally. I’m an emotional person. I use things to fuel me. I remember being in the same position four years ago. We didn’t get it right that night.”
(Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
