Ireland rugby coach Mike Catt reacted with bemusement to a question from a New Zealand TV journalist during a Rugby World Cup press conference on Friday.
"Did you guys have a team photographer at the All Blacks training run yesterday? If so, is that something you normally do," the Ireland assistant coach was asked.
Catt laughed off what amounted to an accusation that Ireland had been spying on New Zealand.
"It was open, so I assume you're allowed for the first 15 minutes like anybody," came the follow up form the New Zealander.
Irish photography agency Inpho did have a photographer at the All Blacks training session, something they are entitled to do.
Catt confirmed that all Ireland's players are fit and available for Saturday's quarter-final clash with the All Blacks. That includes Mack Hansen, "looking as sprightly as ever", who suffered a calf injury in the victory over Scotland last weekend.
10 October 2023; Assistant coach Joe Schmidt and Beauden Barrett during a New Zealand rugby squad training session at INSEP in Paris, France. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Should knockout games at the Rugby World Cup finish in a draw, teams will then play 20 minutes of extra-time. If the sides are still level, there is a further 10 minutes of sudden death extra-time in which the first team to score is declared the winner. However, should neither side score, the match will then go to a penalty kicking competition.
"We have spoken about it," said Catt when asked about the possibility of the quarter-final being decided by a kicking competition.
"The players know who they are. Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Beirne (laughs). They've definitely put in an extra couple of hours. No, it's one of those.
13 October 2023; Mack Hansen, centre, and James Lowe during an Ireland captain's run at Stade de France in Paris, France ahead of the Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash with New Zealand. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
"Players are aware of it but it's a long way to get to that situation. You'd like to think with the golden point now, compared to what it was in the past, that with extra-time then golden point that, in that 10 minutes, one side would take their opportunity.
"The players who are on the pitch will know who they are and fingers crossed we put them through the middle."
Catt said that in this tournament, we have seen "the good All Blacks of old".
"Exceptionally dangerous ball-in-hand," he continued.
"Joe [Schmidt] has definitely brought a physicality at the breakdown and their ball carrying. Obviously, it was something that Joe was massively passionate about with Ireland as well, especially in the wide breakdowns.
"They put a lot of pressure in those areas, so it's making sure that we match them physically but being tactically good in the same breath. Across the board they have a hell of a lot of experience, even coming off the bench - you know, Sam Whitelock - these guys that have hundreds of caps really.
"They are very experienced and know exactly what they need to do to win these big occasions. It's going to be a great test match and we're looking forward to it."
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