New Zealand flanker Dalton Papali’i has admitted that watching the gruelling clash between Ireland and South Africa was something of a wake-up call for the world’s number four team.

Papali’i, whose side have lost each of their last encounters with the sides ranked ahead of them, said that watching the game between the world number one side and the world champions was an aspirational experience.

“If you want to play with the best you’ve got to play at that level,” he said.

“We’ve shown glimpses throughout the year, and this is where you need to do it because this is the tournament we all want to perform at.

“We know what the standard is now, and we’re pretty excited coming off that bye week to really show what we’ve got and the level we want to play at.”

Papali’i’s thoughts were echoed by All-Black defence coach Scott McLeod who added: “I was hugely impressed with the intensity of the game.

“That’s what impressed me the most, the speed of play but the collisions were clean. They were very clean and accurate, there was no infringing around that area.

“And that’s a bloody hard thing to do that speed, with those collisions and bodies are flying everywhere and both teams did that very, very well.”

New Zealand are back in action again on Friday when they face Italy in a crucial Group A clash. Italy are currently second on the pool, five points ahead of New Zealand, which means the All Black need to win and claim a bonus point, and deny Italy one at the same time, if they are to move into the all-important second spot.