'Little moments win you games' - Dagg (NZL) and Senatore (ARG) on New Zealand v Argentina

Twelve years after facing off in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, former All Blacks full-back Israel Dagg and ex-Argentina back-row Leonardo Senatore share their views on the first of RWC 2023's seismic semi-finals.

You both played a lot of knockout rugby, what it is like in the week leading up to a game like this, how does the atmosphere change and what do you have to get right to be successful?

Israel Dagg (ID): "You don’t have to try too many different things. One thing you are going to have to rely on is a bit more effort and a bit more urgency. It’s those little efforts, those little moments on the field that really win you the big games.

"It’s a great week. It’s where everyone wants to be but only a lucky few get to enjoy it. Embrace it. Soak up all the energy, the vibe that’s around the street."

Leonardo Senatore (LS): "I always say that there are between 80 and 100 small battles of one minute or less, which add up to a good result. Furthermore, it is important that everyone is focused on what they have to do.

"You also have to have moments to relax, enjoy where you are. In 2011, for example, we went out to Auckland for a walk. But it was very difficult because everyone in the street was wearing the All Blacks shirt!"

Is the All Blacks aura back after that Ireland performance?

ID: "I don’t think it was gone to be honest. Teams are so good, so competitive and there is probably the fear factor that’s gone. So that’s gone but the aura will always remain with this team. That black jersey is so powerful. It’s a simple colour but it’s very powerful. That’s why we love it."

Where are Argentina as a side right now?

LS: "Los Pumas had a tremendous game against Wales. Making an unprecedented mental and emotional effort. Maybe they aren’t shining in style of play, but they have one unbeatable characteristic for high-performance sports, which is the head and the heart combined. That makes the difference."

What effect does history and past performance have on these type of games?

LS: "Come Friday, it doesn't matter what has happened up to this point. These players were born in or have at least joined Los Pumas in the Rugby Championship era, seeing an annual game with the All Blacks. Back in my day in 2011, there were players who had been in Los Pumas for 10 years and had never played against them.

"Today this pressure of being favourites will probably weigh more on New Zealand, but Argentina will stand as equal on (the) field."

How much can Argentina draw from the 25-18 win in Christchurch in 2022?

ID: "They’ll take everything out of that game. They came to New Zealand, they saw what Ireland were able to do and they came and beat us in our own backyard. They were very good at the line-out, they put us under pressure around the rolling maul. Defensively they were outstanding. They were suffocating us, getting up, holding us up, wrestling us and weren’t allowing us to place the ball. They frustrated the hell out of the All Blacks.

"Mate, if I was them, I would be showing it on non-stop repeat."

LS: "That win helped us ‘humanise’ the All Blacks in a way. Before they were invincible, they had never been beaten (by Argentina). Now they have also acknowledged that Los Pumas have hurt them, not only in rugby but also in their ego. Yes, they may still be better than us, they have a lot more history and we admire them, but on Friday we can beat them."

What do Argentina have to do to have a chance of success in this game? 

ID: "If they get points on the board early, man they will be tough to beat. They will just grow another arm and a leg."

LS: "They have to come in very focused and score points before New Zealand. If I go a bit more into detail, have super-coordinated set-pieces and put a lot of pressure on the All Blacks from there. The kicking game must also be at its best, winning aerial battles with Emiliano Boffelli, who has shown his class in that."

And vice-versa, how do the All Blacks come out on top in this game?

ID: "Play their game. They played them earlier on in the year in Mendoza and they put them away relatively comfortably. Just got to play their game, nail their core roles, which they’ve been doing."

LS: "That I will not answer!"

How hard is it to find that intensity again after a match like the All Blacks played versus Ireland?

ID: "Only the great, great teams can back up a good performance like that. It’s going to be difficult, not mentally, because this is a World Cup semi-final, probably just question marks about their bodies. A short turn-around, having to make 250-odd tackles, making 71 tackles in that last 37 phases of that game. There’s just a lot of output."

If you were playing in this game, what would your final message be to your teammates?

ID: "I’d probably talk about the journey. This is a chance to send some of our legends out on a good note. This ain’t going to be easy but we’ve got five million fans at home who absolutely love us and want to see us flourish. Then I’d throw a few f-bombs in there and get all vocal and bring some energy and some vibe."

LS: "That we are going to win. That we do everything we have to do. Repeat the routine of staying with the feet on the ground, so you can do things for the game later. I would put a lot of focus on that and being there for the youngsters."

Finally, score prediction please?

ID: "I’m going to go 35-12 to… the All Blacks."

LS: "I don't want to jinx it. I have a strong hunch that Los Pumas are going to win."