New Zealand reaction (head coach Foster, Savea, captain Cane)

New Zealand reaction (head coach Foster, Savea, captain Cane)

ON-FIELD REACTION

Ardie Savea, Mastercard Player of the Match (pictured)

On the match:

"There was a lot riding on this week. It was one of those test matches that was a battle. To go out there and play against a world-class Irish squad... We gave the fans what they wanted. A big testament to this Irish team. They have set the standard this whole year. I just want to send love to them. I am just so proud of my boys."

On winning despite yellow cards to Aaron Smith and Codie Taylor:

"To be honest, I kind of didn't notice. We just had to dig deep and we got through in the end."


Sam Cane, captain and flanker

On his thoughts on reaching the semi-finals:


"We are absolutely stoked. It was a crazy test match, an absolute arm wrestle for 83 or 84 minutes, both teams going at it. A lot of credit has to go to Ireland. They have set the standard round world rugby for the last couple of years so we knew the challenge that we had here tonight.

"I am super proud of the effort that went into the week's preparation. Our ability to defend our line for 30-plus phases at the end, that's huge. What an atmosphere, what a game, what a tournament to be part of and I'm just really happy to have another week."

On having two players in the sin bin:

"We don't want to be playing with 14 men but we had to twice there. The boys dug a bit deeper. The defence was outstanding tonight. We were able to hold them out for long periods and I think ultimately that's what won it for us. I'm super-stoked. I want to thank all our supporters. There are plenty here and all the ones who are back home, it means a lot. I can't wait to get stuck in to another week."

On playing Argentina:

"There will be some tired bodies. The first couple of days will be about getting our recovery and filling up the tank again. We are looking forward to it and I can't wait."

Ian Foster, head coach

On how he enjoyed the performance:

"Fantastic. We all knew it was going to be a monster game - we had been talking about it all week - and it was. It was a real arm wrestle. They're a proud team, Ireland, they really hung in there. I thought we had them a couple of times but they kept making the game really tight.

"I am so proud of the way we played. Our defence, particularly in that last part, was brilliant."

On the final minutes:

"I thought we were really good. We were disciplined, we held our cool. I thought defensively we made some shifts and found a way of stopping their line breaks coming to us. It just became a game of patience in the end and we did it well."

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