[RUGBY@LIVE]New Zealand vs Ireland Rugby Live(Rugby World Cup) on Oct 2023
Where to watch Ireland vs New Zealand: Live stream, TV channel, betting odds for Rugby World Cup quarter-final 10-13-2023
Get ready. Two of the world's best sides are preparing to go toe-to-toe in Paris, with the small matter of a Rugby World Cup semi-final up for grabs.
Ireland and New Zealand have set the bar high at this tournament, but only one can progress beyond this stage, and send the other packing in the process.
Quite rightly billed as the ultimate 'group of death' before the tournament, the challenge of South Africa, Scotland, Tonga and Romania didn't phase the Irish, who defeated all four of their Pool B opponents to top the pile.
Along the way, Ireland secured bonus points in three of their victories and crossed for 27 tries, the second-highest of any side so far in 2023. The top billing in that regard goes to New Zealand, who are well out in front with a cool 38 five-pointers across their four games.
Despite this, a 27-13 loss to hosts France in their opener left the All Blacks in catch-up mode for the rest of the pool stages, and they were only able to finish second behind Les Bleus; even with an aggregate score of 240-20 in their next three matches.
Therefore, the All Blacks will face Ireland for a place in the last four. The world No.1 knocked New Zealand off that illustrious perch some time ago, and have won their last two matches against Ian Foster's side. Both came in an historic 2-1 series victory on Kiwi soil, but with Ireland having never won a World Cup quarter-final, we're set for a match that could see rugby's record books undergo a seismic change.
Ireland and New Zealand face off in the 2023 Rugby World Cup's second quarter-final, played at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France. The game kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Saturday, October 12, 2023.
Ireland vs. New Zealand line-ups
The world's No.1 side have a full-strength squad to pick from, after Mack Hansen and Garry Ringrose shook off pool stage injuries to make the starting XV in Saint-Denis.
A back-line featuring three New Zealand-born players in Jamison Gibson-Park, James Lowe and Bundee Aki will be led by Johnny Sexton, who could be about to play his final match of professional rugby if Ireland are to lose here.
Ireland's all-star pack has also come through the pools largely unscathed, despite facing some monstrous Tongan, Scottish and South African opposition. James Ryan is the only notable absentee from the side, with Iain Henderson continuing alongside Tadhg Beirne in the second row, as Joe McCarthy comes onto the bench.
Ireland Starting XV: Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Johnny Sexton, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, Iain Henderson, Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.
Ireland Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Jimmy O'Brien.
A curfew break has seen prolific All Blacks wing Mark Telea dropped from the side, but his stand-in Leicester Fainga'anuku will offer plenty of power, pace and finishing ability of his own down the left edge.
Aaron Smith wears No.9 alongside his halves partner Richie Mo'unga, while on the bench, the free-scoring Cam Roigard is surprisingly replaced by Finlay Christie as New Zealand's reserve scrum-half.
Up front, prop Ethan de Groot returns to the XV following his pool stage red card against Namibia, starting on the loosehead side of a bullish front row that also features Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax.
Captain Sam Cane makes only his second start of the tournament, while on the bench, ****** Dane Coles and New Zealand's record cap holder Sam Whitelock will bring all the experience needed as the game moves towards the latter stages.
