‘Fear factor’ drives All Blacks veteran ahead of World Cup semi-final with Argentina

While he is looking forward to his country’s highly anticipated Rugby World Cup semi-final with Argentina in Paris on Friday, New Zealand hooker Dane Coles is wary of his opponents ahead of the encounter.

The 36-year-old believes it’s a dangerous sort of encounter as the All Blacks are up against familiar foes minus all the hype of their quarter-final encounter against highly rated and in-form opponents Ireland.

“The reset button is the most crucial thing,” Coles told Stuff of this week’s mindset. “What we did last week ain’t going to mean stuff-all if we don’t back it up this week.

“That is the challenge of Test footy, the challenge of playing at a World Cup. And as leaders we have to make sure these boys see that through our actions.

“And that everyone does their bit to turn up in the best shape. It is a mental challenge.”

Keen to build on Ireland result

All Blacks forwards coach James Ryan understands where Coles is coming from but feels they should not ignore the importance of building on what was achieved in last weekend’s win over Ireland at the Stade de France.

“It’s a balance between coming down off that but also building on the confidence the boys have got,” he said. “We’ve got a bit of confidence, but by no means is there any arrogance with that.

“We will prepare accordingly for Argentina who are a different team to what we played last time, but so are we. And it’s knockout rugby. In finals you build those weeks to be right at your best mentally and physically at the end of the week.”

The player and coach both raise valid points. Coles understands how important it is for the All Blacks to refresh after the emotional high of that win against Ireland. Few New Zealand victories in their history have been as hard-earned as that one.

But Ryan, also understands the importance of building on the confidence gained from such an outstanding performance.

Coles feels he will not have any issues finding the “fear factor” against Argentina.

The 36-year-old, who is set to retire after the World Cup, was in the All Blacks’ starting line-up when they suffered a historic first-ever loss to Argentina in Sydney in 2020, and watched from the stands when they backed it up in Christchurch two years later.

“I have that fear and [it] drives you,” said Coles. “It’s good to have that, to acknowledge that, and let it energise you and get you to the place you need to be.”

Ryan believes history will guide New Zealand this week, just like it did last week, for all their protestations that the past has no bearing on the present.

Then, very next game, they were brought crashing back to earth by – who else? – an Argentina team who tip-toed up and jumped all over them in Christchurch to inflict a painful defeat that was part reality check, part life lesson.

In just his second match with the All Blacks, Ryan helped them to a memorable win over the Springboks in Johannesburg last year – a match which is regarded as the one which saved head coach Ian Foster’s job.

Loss to Argentina in 2022 not forgotten

“It has [come into our thinking),” said Ryan of last year’s loss to the Pumas in Christchurch.

“You’ve got to be honest around that. It will be talked around today when we start previewing. We are a different team, and they are a different team [to then], but we learnt a lot that game.

“They had league coach David Kidwell and put a lot into their D (defence) to slow our ball down. We’ll readdress that and not assume anything.”

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