New Zealand’s Mo’unga calls 46-14 win over Ireland “a lot of fun”

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SHOWS: TOKYO, JAPAN (OCTOBER 19, 2019) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) NEW ZEALAND FLYHALF, RICHIE MO'UNGA, SAYING:

"I think to sum it up in one word, it was just a lot of fun. It was just fun. To be able to put pressure on an Irish team and to put things into place that we practiced along the week, that is what footie is about. You practice in the week and put in the hard yards and then once it comes to Saturday you're able to express yourself. I think we did that in the first 20 (minutes), which meant we could put pressure on them."

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) IRELAND SCRUMHALF, CONOR MURRAY, SAYING:

"Really tough, really tough to take. We envisaged the game going a little bit different. We didn't start well and gave them access into the game, which made it really difficult for us. It made us maybe chase the game a little bit. I thought we had a couple of chances to put a few scores on the board before halftime, definitely, and probably before then, but it didn't turn out that way which is tough. A couple of their tries came from turnover ball and counter attack, which they are lethal on, which is disappointing because those turnovers came from a place when we were in a pretty promising position."

STORY: New Zealand sent out an emphatic message that they will not relinquish their Rugby World Cup title lightly as they outclassed Ireland 46-14 in their last eight-clash on Saturday (October 19) and set up a semi-final against England.

The three-times champions, who ran in seven tries and had effectively secured victory by halftime, went into the encounter having lost two of their last three matches against the Irish.

But this superb performance reflected the All Blacks overall record against the men in green, now standing at 29 wins, two defeats and one draw.

Following the win, flyhalf Richie Mo'unga said the game was, "just a lot of fun" and that the side was looking forward to their next challenge when they face England in Yokohama on October 26.

England, who thrashed Australia 40-16 earlier on Saturday, will likely provide a better test for the holders.

Hosts Japan face South Africa, and Wales meet France in the remaining quarters on Sunday (October 20).