“The Battle Down Under: Ireland Takes on New Zealand in Rugby World Cup 2023 Quarter-Finals”

Rugby World Cup 2023 Quarter-Final Preview: Ireland vs New Zealand

Introduction

The much-anticipated quarter-final clash between Ireland and New Zealand at Stade de France promises to be a thrilling encounter. This match brings together the number one-ranked team in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings, Ireland, and the three-time champions, New Zealand, in a battle for a place in the semi-finals. Both teams have a rich rugby history and will be looking to leave a lasting impact on the tournament.

Team Preparations

Ireland‘s head coach, Andy Farrell, has shown confidence in his starting team that convincingly defeated Scotland in their previous match. The team will be eager to secure a spot in the semi-finals for the first time in their history. The only changes to the match-day team are on the bench, as Joe McCarthy replaces the injured James Ryan in the second row, and Jimmy O’Brien comes in for Stuart McCloskey.

On the other hand, New Zealand, who suffered a rare pool stage defeat in this tournament, will be determined not to exit the competition at this stage for only the second time in their history. Their previous quarter-final exit was at the 2007 Rugby World Cup hosted by France. The All Blacks, known for their resilience and determination, will surely provide a tough challenge for Ireland.

Fixture History

In their recent encounters, Ireland has had the upper hand, winning five out of the eight meetings between the two sides. Notably, they famously came from behind to win a test series in New Zealand for the first time in July 2023. However, prior to their victory in 2016, the All Blacks had dominated the rivalry, winning 27 of the 28 previous encounters dating back to 1905.

The most memorable match between the two teams was Ireland‘s 40-29 victory at Soldier Field in Chicago in November 2016. However, the last time they faced each other in a Rugby World Cup quarter-final was four years ago, where the All Blacks secured a resounding 46-14 win, ending Ireland‘s campaign.

Key Talking Point

The most crucial aspect of this quarter-final clash is whether Ireland can overcome their historical struggles at this stage of the tournament and defeat the All Blacks in Saint-Denis. Ireland has fallen at the quarter-final hurdle in all seven of their previous attempts, and breaking this quarter-final hoodoo will require them to outsmart and outplay the mighty New Zealand team.

Player Head-to-Head

One of the most exciting face-offs in this match will be between Ireland‘s Caelan Doris and New Zealand’s Ardie Savea. Both players are renowned for their exceptional skills as number eights and will play a vital role in determining the outcome of the match. This battle between two top-quality players is something that rugby fans should eagerly anticipate.

Stats Amazing

This match holds significance for two retiring players who are record-breakers in their own right. Johnny Sexton, who will retire after the Rugby World Cup, will play his 18th test match against the All Blacks, surpassing Alun Wyn Jones as the Northern Hemisphere player with the most tests against New Zealand. Additionally, if Conor Murray comes off the bench, it will be his 18th Rugby World Cup appearance, breaking the joint record held by Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell for the most tournament matches for Ireland.

Ref Watch

The man in charge for this exciting clash is Wayne Barnes from England. Barnes has been involved in key matches between Ireland and New Zealand in the past, including Ireland‘s series-deciding win in Wellington in July 2022 and their historic first victory over the All Blacks in Dublin in 2018. His experience and impartiality will be crucial in ensuring a fair and well-contested match.

Conclusion

With a place in the semi-finals at stake, the quarter-final clash between Ireland and New Zealand promises to be an enthralling battle. Both teams have a lot to prove, and history is on the line. Ireland will be aiming to break their quarter-final curse and make history, while New Zealand will be looking to continue their dominance and progress to the next stage. Rugby fans around the world will be eagerly awaiting the outcome of this highly anticipated showdown.