Ireland v New Zealand: Irish must prepare for best version of All Blacks, says Conor Murray

Murray has played in three of Ireland's World Cup quarter-final defeats

Now that Ireland have reached the World Cup knockout stages once again, the squad can essentially be split in two: those who have experienced the heartache of a quarter-final defeat and those who bear no scar tissue.

Conor Murray falls into the first category. Now a veteran of four World Cups, the Munster scrum-half is one of the players who, over the next 48 hours or so, will try to push the events of Ireland's past out of his mind.

As a fresh-faced Test rookie, Murray was there in Wellington in 2011 when Wales ended Ireland's dream. He was a starter again at the Millennium Stadium four years later when Argentina broke Irish hearts. In Tokyo in 2019, the All Blacks inflicted more misery on Ireland. It was an unwanted hat-trick for Murray.

For Johnny Sexton's long-time half-back partner, though, the agony that is synonymous with Ireland in World Cup knockout rugby is secondary to the good vibes they have built under Andy Farrell.

"We've talked about it and people have talked about what we've done over the last number of years, about the level of performance we've been able to achieve, and the big wins, and things like that," said the 34-year-old, who will start Saturday's quarter-final among the replacements with Jamison Gibson-Park retained at nine.

"There is massive belief in terms of the ability we have in the squad, and what we can do.

"On the other side, there's enough of us in the room that have been through these quarter-finals and know how tough they are to win. It all comes down to on the day.

"We've done good things over the past few years. There's probably a bit more built up behind us in terms of what we've done. So yeah, we feel in a good space in terms of what we can deliver."

Murray will start Saturday's quarter-final on the bench with New Zealand-born Jamison Gibson-Park (left) retaining the number nine jersey

With Murray having played in nearly half of Ireland's quarter-final defeats down the years, he has absorbed as much heartache as anyone in the group.

But New Zealand carry baggage, too. Losing a Test series at home to Ireland last year was a sobering experience for the All Blacks, while recent defeats by South Africa and France have fuelled the argument that the aura around the three-time World Cup winners has evaporated.

Murray, however, does not see it that way. No, he has been on the scene long enough to know that a wounded New Zealand is a daunting proposition for anyone.

"No, I don't think so," he said when asked if New Zealand are not as good as they used to be.

"I won't fall into that trap. I'm around long enough to know how good they are and how they can hurt after a defeat or if people are criticising them.

"I know at home in New Zealand their media is quite heavy on them and expect high standards.

"I know a lot of their players, I've played against a lot of them for a long time, I know how good they are, so many world-class players with such ability.

"So no, the threat and the aura around the All Blacks is definitely still there. That's the challenge."

'We must be ready for best version of the All Blacks'

While the significance of Ireland winning a three-Test series against New Zealand on Kiwi soil last summer cannot be discounted, the All Blacks have this week spoken about how they have grown and evolved in the past 15 months with former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt as their attack coach.

Murray agrees that the All Blacks have rediscovered their form, and while he feels Ireland too have made forward strides since that series, he thinks New Zealand will be out to prove a point at Stade de France on Saturday.

"What happened in the summer was incredible, it was a really special tour and series win, but they've definitely improved," said Murray, who scored a try in Ireland's first-ever win over New Zealand in Chicago in 2016.

"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."

The three-time British and Irish Lions tourist added: "So if you look at it that way, will there be a reaction from the summer? I've heard people talk about that, they 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 shed 'inferiority complex' - Farrell

• Ireland braced for 'toughest ever game' - Sexton

• How Ireland broke down the All Blacks' fear factor