Scott Robertson, head coach

On the arrival of the draw:

“How exciting is it to actually get the World Cup draw underway, understand how it works, and who we're with ... all the permutations ahead, and then looking forward to big games and who we're playing? We know we're going to have to play some big games to win a Rugby World Cup, and it's clear after the draw.”

On drawing with Australia in Pool A:

“The deeper [the draw] it went, you know, the less balls that are in there, you sort of felt that was inevitable of getting into Pool A and playing Australia. We get to play them quite a lot, but it'll be just pretty special and unique to do it in a Rugby World Cup."

On a potential opening game against Australia in Perth:

“Obviously, there's no guarantee to it, but you know, if it is at Optus and you're playing in a full house, pretty special. It will be a pretty special moment, and one that is a play you look forward to. So close to home, there will be a lot of Kiwis there."

On a potential quarter-final match up against South Africa:

“You knew if Pool A and B got together, that was one of the scenarios that you look at. Even first in that pool, or second in the pool, if it's England. 

"You do a little bit of homework, and you look at it, and you go, 'Okay, we face South Africa a lot and it's just another time'. You take a crack at it. And, as you know, you're coming into a World Cup, you're going to have to face someone in form to win it. So, if the quarter-final fits the way it works out, that's the best part of the draw. You embrace it.”

Scott Barrett, captain

On playing South Africa in a potential quarter-final:

"I think at some stage within the tournament, you play the world's best and I think we played France last time as the opening game, and that was a huge occasion for both teams. I think at that point we lost to them, and we said, 'Ok this isn't our competition, but we've got every chance to still lift the World Cup'. And you know, we played Ireland in the quarter-final, another huge game.

“Along the way you're going to play potentially number one, two, and three in the world and it might not be in the final. So that's the beauty of the World Cup. You're going to have to peak at the right time.”

On managing his career to get to Australia 2027:

“Off the back of the last World Cup, I took some time to basically say, 'How could I be at the next World Cup and be still contributing in a big way to this team'? So that was part of the strategy, to break it into two segments, and at the back of the first two years it has been a big couple of years in the role as captain, this break is at a good time.

“Ultimately, I want to be at the other side of this [break] come May, for 18 months of rugby that can ultimately contribute to a team lifting the World Cup."