Andy Farrell’s aspect have to date on the event proven exactly why they're the number-one ranked aspect on this planet, selecting up wins over South Africa and Scotland to prime Pool B in excellent vogue to place themselves ahead as one of many massive favourites to go all the way in which.
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However, there's a clear hurdle to beat. This is the fourth World Cup in a row that Ireland have made it to the quarter-final stage, and the eighth time of their historical past, however they haven't as soon as progressed to the last-four.
If they're to lastly take that step, the lopsided nature of the draw means they need to produce one other assertion win, with the All Blacks wanting to make sure they don't fail to make the semi-finals for simply the second time ever.
New Zealand fell to defeat within the event opener in opposition to France, however the response has been emphatic as anticipated. Huge wins have been racked up in opposition to Namibia, Italy and Uruguay, although that is now a significant step-up as they face the number-one ranked aspect on this planet.
Ireland takes place tonight, Saturday October 14, 2023, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm BST.
The Stade de Frace in Paris will host the Irish once more, having additionally been the venue for his or her victories over South Africa and Scotland.
TV channel: Ireland vs New Zealand is obtainable to look at stay and free to air tonight within the UK on ITV1, with protection starting at 7:15pm.
Live stream: Fans also can catch the quarter-final motion stay on-line through the ITVX web site and app.
Live weblog: Follow the sport stay tonight with Standard Sport’s blog.
Ireland wingers Mack Hansen and James Lowe have been compelled off in the win over Scotland, however each have recovered in time and can begin as soon as extra in opposition to the All Blacks.
Lowe took a blow to his eye that impacted his imaginative and prescient, whereas Hansen picked up a calf damage having returned to the pitch after a HIA, however Farrell has confidence that each are match as he names an unchanged beginning XV from the group that beat Scotland.
James Ryan, who noticed a specialist about his hand damage, has did not show his health and misses out on the squad, with Robbie Henshaw and Keith Earls additionally not concerned. Joe McCarthy and Jimmy O’Brien each come into the squad and are named on the bench.
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster had some choice dilemmas to contemplate after his side’s big win over Uruguay.
Leicester Fainga’anuku retains his place out on the left wing after a hat-trick in that sport, with traditional starter Mark Telea surprisingly dominated out resulting from disciplinary causes.
Foster brings again his different key names, with Ethan de Groot again from suspension and fellow prop Tyrel Lomax having recovered from a knee difficulty.
There is not any Cam Roigard on the bench for the All Blacks, with Fin Christie backing up beginning scrum-half Aaron Smith as an alternative.
The likes of Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Luke Jacobsen don’t even make the squad, with Damian McKenzie, Sam Whitelock and Anton Lienert-Brown all on the bench.
Ireland XV: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (c), Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; Beirne, Henderson; O’Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris
Replacements: Kelleher, Kilcoyne, Bealham, McCarthy, Conan, Murray, Crowley, O’Brien
New Zealand XV: B Barrett; Jordan, Ioane, J Barrett, Fainga'anuku; Mo'unga, Smith; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax; Retallick, S Barrett; Frizell, Cane (c), Savea
Replacements: Coles, Williams, Newell, Whitelock, Papali’i, Christie, McKenzie, Lienert-Brown
English referee Wayne Barnes has been handed this fixture with help from countrymen Christophe Ridley and Matthew Carley operating the strains, and Tom Foley on TMO.
After two low-key matches to start the event, the stress on Ireland swiftly cranked up.
They have very a lot risen to the event, coming by way of a bruising encounter with defending champions South Africa earlier than blowing Scotland away within the first-half in Paris to additional strengthen the argument that they're able to ship on the largest stage.
Their defence has been unimaginable, although that may come underneath big scrutiny in opposition to the All Blacks, who've scored 36 tries throughout their final three wins.
The apparent caveat is that the free-flowing rugby from New Zealand has come in opposition to sides who're a mile off the degrees Ireland have been producing to date on the World Cup, and it will inevitably be a much more bodily, attritional encounter at occasions.
Ireland will once more have huge assist on the Stade de France, and people in inexperienced on the pitch may give these within the stands one thing to cheer as soon as extra as they take one other main step in the direction of the Webb Ellis Cup.
Ireland to win, by ten factors
After failing to win any of the primary 28 matches between the 2 nations, Ireland have now come out on prime in 5 of the final eight encounters.
That features a 32-22 win over the All Blacks in Wellington final 12 months to seal a sequence victory, one that may give Andy Farrell’s aspect big confidence.
Ireland wins: 5
New Zealand wins: 30
Draws: 1
Ireland to win: 4/6
New Zealand to win: 13/10
Draw: 18/1
Odds through Betfair and topic to vary.
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