Ireland look to reach the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup for the very first time as they take on New Zealand in a Paris blockbuster tonight. It promises to be an absolutely epic encounter at the Stade de France, as the number one-ranked team in the world take on the dangerous All Blacks, who have lifted the Webb Ellis Cup on three previous occasions.
Seven defeats is all Ireland have had to show from their seven previous World Cup quarter-final appearances, but there is a growing sense that this could well be their time. Andy Farrell’s side secured a first ever series win in New Zealand last year, and have been in superb form at this tournament as they beat South Africa and Scotland to top Pool B.
New Zealand do not quite have the same formidable aura of previous tournaments, but they have so often proved that they can deliver under the ultimate pressure. They will hope Joe Schmidt, the former Ireland head coach but now in the All Blacks camp, can help provide the inside knowledge to take down the Irish. With Wales or Argentina waiting in the last four, whoever comes out on top tonight will be big favourites to reach the final. Follow Ireland vs New Zealand live below!
Live updates
Ireland vs New Zealand: Bundee Aki eyeing new history
Bundee Aki is ready to spearhead Ireland’s Zombie march into a first-ever Rugby World Cup semi-final.
Aki, up against the country of his birth tonight, has beaten 23 defenders in Ireland’s four matches in France, delivering a monstrous nine clean line breaks.
The 33-year-old has loved every minute of Ireland’s fans taking over Paris, particularly when belting out The Cranberries’ 1994 hit Zombie inside Stade de France.
Team-mate Conor Murray joked that Aki believes Ireland’s latest vogue supporters’ song is in complete tribute to him.
“He thinks they’re singing ‘Bundee, Bundee’, but they’re definitely not,” said Murray.
“He has been playing the rugby of his life. He can come across as a bit of a messer, but behind the scenes Bundee is incredible.
“The level of detail he goes into – he is always on the computer, trying to figure things out. He’s actually a smart fella, believe it or not!”
Ireland vs New Zealand: Who is the referee today?
English referee Wayne Barnes has been handed this fixture with assistance from countrymen Christophe Ridley and Matthew Carley running the lines, and Tom Foley on TMO.
Prediction: Ireland to reach semi-finals
After two low-key matches to begin the tournament, the pressure on Ireland swiftly cranked up.
They have very much risen to the occasion, coming through a bruising encounter with defending champions South Africa before blowing Scotland away in the first-half in Paris to further strengthen the argument that they are ready to deliver on the biggest stage.
Their defence has been incredible, though that will come under huge scrutiny against the All Blacks, who have scored 36 tries across their last three wins.
The obvious caveat is that the free-flowing rugby from New Zealand has come against sides who are a mile off the levels Ireland have been producing so far at the World Cup, and this will inevitably be a far more physical, attritional encounter at times.
Ireland will again have massive support at the Stade de France, and those in green on the pitch can give those in the stands something to cheer once more as they take another major step towards the Webb Ellis Cup.
Ireland to win, by ten points
New Zealand team news: Telea dropped
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
Ireland team news: Hansen and Lowe fit
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
How to watch Ireland vs New Zealand
TV channel: Ireland vs New Zealand is available to watch live and free to air tonight in the UK on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 7:15pm.
Live stream: Fans can also catch the quarter-final action live online via the ITVX website and app.
Live blog: Follow the game live tonight with Standard Sport’s blog.
Welcome
The stage is set for a truly blockbuster second Rugby World Cup quarter-final showdown in Paris tonight.
The magnificent Stade de France will host a Les Bleus side boosted by the return of captain Antoine Dupont to take on defending champions South Africa tomorrow night, but first it’s the small matter of Ireland vs New Zealand this evening.
It simply doesn’t get much bigger than this, with the world’s No1-ranked team looking to get over their last-eight hoodoo against the ever-dangerous three-time winners in front of a sold-out crowd under the lights.
Ireland have incredibly never previously reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, but plenty are now tipping them to go all the way in France after a stunning Pool B campaign that included a hugely physical win over the Springboks.
Kick-off tonight is at 8pm BST, so stay tuned for match build-up, team news and live updates.
This should be epic!
