Conor Murray: All Blacks will be a 'different animal' in Paris

“Every team tries to evolve, tries to improve game on game, year on year and the All Blacks are no different. What happened in the summer was incredible, it was a really special tour and series win, but they've definitely improved.

“They've grown their game, learned from that series, and if you stand still as a team in the modern era you're going to get left behind, so both teams have developed.

“I've played against the All Blacks where we've beaten them, but when we play (again) they're a completely different animal, so if you look at it that way, will there be a reaction from the summer?

“I've heard people talk about that, use it as motivation. I'm sure they will and they'll be coming out with a point to prove and through World Cups they're historically an unbelievable side, so we've got to be ready for the best version of them at the weekend.” 

Ireland have their own scar tissue stretching back to the 2019 last-eight clash with New Zealand in Tokyo when the three-time champions won 46-14 but there are new faces in the green corner as well this weekend.

Only ten of the 23 that played that say four years ago are set to be involved in Saint-Denis and Murray agreed with the sentiment that players like Mack Hansen, James Lowe and even the inexperienced Jimmy O’Brien will have no hang-ups on this occasion.

“Yeah, you said it: fearlessness.” History would be made on the double were Ireland to win their fifth game in a row at this tournament. It would see them equal the world record of 18 ‘Tier One’ wins in a row and it would deliver a first-ever semi-final slot for the national team on this stage.

Murray admits that to do just that would mean everything.

“This weekend is the biggest game I've ever played and it's the same for everyone in the group. That alone, to get through that would be a huge, huge moment. A huge milestone. Breaking the quarter-final isn't something we talk about. It's cliched but game by game, we're focusing on the next moment.

“But yeah, the opportunity and with the special group we have, it's something we're chasing and would absolutely love to do for ourselves and the fans here and at home. But I can't get away from how hard it's going to be, how difficult a task it is, but it would mean the world to all of us to get to that next stage.” 

Among the squad looking to tread this new ground in the coming days will be the New Zealand-born and bred trio of Lowe, Jamison Gibson-Park and Bundee Aki, all of whom have become integral members of the starting XV.

All played their part in securing that series win in their home country last year and there is an understandable interest in their presence among the New Zealand media as they bid to deprive their home nation of a shot at a fourth title.

“Those three boys are so important to our squad,” said Murray. “What they did, taking the chance to come over here and start a new life for themselves and prove themselves: all three of them have really done so. They're three world-class players who we're really going to rely on heavily and have performed unbelievably well in this competition.

“Particularly Bundee. I hate saying it, but he's been playing the rugby of his life. He can come across as a bit of a messer or jolly fella, but behind the scenes Bundee is incredible. The level of detail, he's always on the computers and always trying to figure things out, so he's actually a smart fella, believe it or not.

“But yeah, it hasn't really been mentioned, the New Zealand thing. They're part of our Irish team now and they're really important to us. I'm sure there's a part of them, that little bit extra, that they want to get one over on their place of birth but they're fully part of our Irish squad now.”