Ireland ‘the benchmark’

No skirting the hard reality. No beating about the bush. This is Dane Coles after all. Ireland are the “benchmark” in world rugby right now, says the straightest shooter in the Kiwi game, and the All Blacks aspire to get to the lofty plane they’re occupying.

That’s the unabashed narrative for quarterfinal week at the Rugby World Cup in France from within the All Blacks camp. Ireland will spin another tale, of heritage and enduring excellence on behalf of their opponents, of scintillating skill and derring-do; but the cold, hard truth is that Ian Foster’s men deservedly start the first week of knockout play rated underdogs by the oddsmakers to remain in the tournament beyond the weekend.

Of course the veteran All Blacks hooker, on his last lap of the international rugby track, would tell it as it is in the week that the New Zealanders meet Ireland for a place in the World Cup semifinals.

The matchup that looked inevitable from the moment the All Blacks lost their World Cup opener to the hosts at Stade de France was confirmed on Sunday when Andy Farrell’s indomitable Irish pummelled the Scots into the same turf 36-14 to finish Pool B unbeaten. Was it ever in doubt?

That’s 17 test victories on the bounce for the world’s No 1 side, including four wins in their last six cracks at the men in black, and an historic series victory in New Zealand, from one down to boot, last time they crossed swords.

“We love that it’s Ireland,” said Coles. “They’ve been the best team in the world and there are a few scars with us losing to them. You can’t hide from that fact. It’s a really good opportunity to play them. I know everyone in this team is looking forward to it because they’re the best team in the world at the moment.”

That’s not a comment you often hear from the All Blacks about an opponent. But in this case ne’er a truer word has been spoken. And Coles backed up the comments from coach Ian Foster that last year’s home series defeat to the Irish had been both a low point, and a turning one.

“They were the benchmark. The All Blacks were the benchmark for a long time. But to come up short in your home country was more than a kick in the guts. Every time you lose in an All Blacks jersey it does leave a little scar.

“We had to look at ourselves. We’re trying to get back to the top. [Ireland] have been the benchmark for a few years now. You want to play the best teams – there’s no shying away from that. It’s a World Cup. We’re looking forward to it.”

Coles, part of the 2015 World Cup winners, and also the 2019 beaten semifinalists, has a good feel for what’s required this week. And it’s an appreciation he means to share.

“The intensity and pressure is always something you recognise through the week. It’s something you don't want to let overtake you. You want that pressure and intensity and edge to fuel your fire for the quarterfinals, but don’t let it soak up your energy.

“That’s probably the biggest thing you notice. The boys will learn that but I reckon you’ve got to experience it and feel it. It will be a different lift from pool play. You get excited by it and it’s where we want to be.”

The 36-year-old hooker, a good chance

to earn his 90th test cap off the bench at Stade de France (8am kickoff Sunday NZT), believes the All Blacks have responded about as well as they could have to that first-up defeat to the hosts.

“I reckon we’re in a great spot. There was a bit of history losing that first pool game and that could have dampened the spirits. The camp in Bordeaux was a good thing, at a good time. We were able to work on our game, and that’s what let us down [against France]. It’s been a good period where we’ve put in some good old-fashioned hard work and honed some areas that have worked well over the last couple of weeks. Our set piece has been strong.

“After a couple of days off to freshen up – bring on the quarterfinal.”

“To come up short in your home country was more than a kick in the guts.’’ Dane Coles on the All Blacks’ home series loss to Ireland last year