Ireland v All Blacks: the world awaits
It says something of the shemozzle World Rugby created when making its draw too early for the Rugby World Cup that Sunday's (NZT) quarterfinal between Ireland and the All Blacks is worthy of a semifinal at the least.
The No1 side will play the No4 side with one going on to face a semifinal against a side ranked well below them.
But with the tournament in the pointy end there is little doubt that the contest will be the focal point around the rugby world.
Some comments from around that world are listed below.
Oliver Brown: Sunday Telegraph
"The World Cup pool phase is often a bloated, predictable affair, but with Ireland on this form, within one victory of a world record-equalling 18th consecutive win, it can still be utterly joyous.
"How apt if that landmark win were to come next Saturday against the All Blacks. It is a match-up that deserves to be a final...But Ireland have ascended of late to a plane where they should fear no one.
"There is a propulsive momentum behind Ireland, an inescapable shared conviction that this is their time. Having beaten the All Blacks home and away, they harbour no concerns that they can do it again when it matters most. This is one party that looks ready to run and run."
Ireland coach Andy Farrell
"It's what dreams are made of. As far as a quarterfinal is concerned, it doesn't get any tougher. The respect we have got for New Zealand is through the roof and hopefully they have got a bit of respect for us."
Robert Kitson: The Observer
"There is the small matter of a quarterfinal against a revitalised New Zealand next weekend and plenty more ferociously hard yards to cover...The All Blacks will ask more demanding questions than a totally outclassed Scotland but the green energy with which Ireland dominated the breakdown and took their fired-up opponents apart was both impressive and, from a Kiwi perspective, rather ominous."
Stuart Barnes: The Sunday Times
"Next up New Zealand. The All Blacks were runners-up in pool A, where the other two top-fve teams coasted to quarterfinal qualification. France beat them on the initial day of the tournament with something to spare. New Zealand's response to the loss was impressive.
"There has been no more precise tournament display of attacking rugby than the one witnessed against Italy in their third pool match. Italy are not longer a bad Test team. New Zealand made them look truly terrible.
"But we have seen this before. In 1991, 1995, 1999, 2007 and 2019 the Kiwis caught the eye more than any other nation – until they were knocked out. In all these years, the All Blacks had the potential to win but overplayed their hand. This year is different. The countless defeats under Ian Foster have altered the psychology of the impending quarterfinal.
"Ireland, for all the All Blacks pyrotechnics against inferior teams, are expected to win."
Jeremy Guscott: The Rugby Paper
"There is no team fitter than Ireland in this World Cup, and that is why when New Zealand exit they will be looking for specific outcomes. Ireland are the cleverest team in rugby right now...Ireland always seem to have the knack of putting even their fiercest rivals under the cosh, and [a] big part of it is that they make very few errors.
"The Irish are not quite as quick as New Zealand, but they may be even more practical...Ireland might try and go set-piece, look for structure and control, and grind New Zealand before letting their backs go when the opportunity presents itself. The Irish do not make many mistakes, and they take their opportunities in attack with smart pre-programmed pod moves. That is the Irish template, and what makes them so dangerous."