The Ireland players and staff have been at pains to stress that tonight's meeting with New Zealand at Aviva Stadium is not – I repeat not – a revenge mission.
They can say it all they like, but it’s hard to believe that between those four walls at 7.55pm tonight, just before Caelan Doris leads the team out onto the pitch, he and his team-mates won't be referring to their World Cup pain of 13 months earlier.
Ultimately, these things come down to personal preference. For some, a clean break with the past is the best way to get better in the future.
For others, like Tadhg Beirne, previous pain can be the ultimate motivator.
"I still have nightmares about that game," the versatile forward said, when he’s reminded of the World Cup quarter-final defeat to the All Blacks just over a year ago.
And he admits his mind will wander "quite regularly" to that game, and thoughts of what might have been.
"Particularly if you are having a sleepless night [laughs], it can keep you up at night sometimes.
"I think that's sport and they are the things you kind of have to live with. You have lost, live with disappointment for that, there are ones where we have probably disappointed others in the past and they are in the situation I am in.
"We lost that day and we can't change it but sometimes those moments just pop into your head and you can't help it, what could have been.
"Look, it is a game of inches at the end of the day and I think there is a few moments in that game where we have looked back and said 'we could have done this' and 'we could have done that' and I think it is just being better in the moment, being able to see things in the moment and take those opportunities.
"One thing that sticks out in my mind was something I don't usually do in a four-man [lineout]. I usually put pressure on the number 9 and I decided not to, and then they ultimately scored off it.
"Didn't ultimately lose us the game, but they are moments in the game where you certainly think back and have nightmares about.
"If there is one thing we can be better at it is just continue to try and see opportunities and take them."
A lot has changed for Ireland’s opponents since that game in Paris in October of last year, with Richie Mo’unga away in Japan, and Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick and Aaron Smith now retired, while Scott Robertson has come in as head coach, replacing Ian Foster.
Their form has been mixed in 'Razor’s’ debut season in charge, with three defeats in 11 games, although they dug deep to close out a gripping 24-22 win against England last week at Twickenham.
"Look, they put in a big performance. I think England are an unbelievable team and to get a win over them is no easy feat.
"But there are always more gears in New Zealand. I think you have to always expect the unexpected with them. They can always level up at any point.
"When you think they are at their best, there’s probably another level in them, so you have to be prepared for everything. That’s all we can do, be the best we can this week. That’s the goal.
"He [Robertson] is obviously trying new things, developing their attack and I think any new coach is going to put their own stamp on a team, and you can see that starting to happen with New Zealand.
"They are certainly getting better game on game for sure and I don't think it will be any different on Friday, their performance will go up another level on Friday."
The Munster captain also spoke about last week’s departure of Graham Rowntree (below) from the province.
Rowntree left the province by "mutual agreement" just six games into the season, with the squad informed of the news on Tuesday of last week, via an online call.
And Beirne paid tribute to the coach who made him Munster skipper at the start of this season.
"I’m disappointed for him. I think everything he’s done for Munster has been incredible," he said.
"He brought the silverware to Munster in his first year and at a personal level I had a great relationship with Graham as well. I’ll be sad to see him go but I guess that’s part of sport too. These things do happen. I think the focus for me is now on Ireland.
"Ultimately I think we all were [surprised] obviously, we were all informed about it but the decision was from Munster and Ireland and we must move on from this point, but again we can’t thank Graham enough for everything he has done for the club."
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