How the All Blacks and Ireland could meet in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals

New Zealand's Ardie Savea and Josh van der Flier of Ireland embrace after yesterday's test in Dublin. Photo / INPHO/Bryan Kean

All Blacks v Ireland in a Rugby World Cup final. It seems the destined fixture for rugby's top two nations but how about an early meeting in the quarter-finals? It's not too far-fetched of a prospect.

All it would take would be for the All Blacks or Ireland to suffer a pool game defeat and one of the sides will be eliminated in the first week of the knockout phase.

The All Blacks have never lost a pool game at the World Cup, the only nation to do so, but Steve Hansen's men face a big encounter in their opening game at next year's tournament against South Africa.

The All Blacks should go into the Springboks test as favourites but we've seen this season South Africa are not only capable of going toe-to-toe with New Zealand but will have the confidence to cause an upset following their win in Wellington.

Ireland's biggest threat in pool play should be Scotland, a side they lost to last year. The two Six Nations rivals face off a day after the All Blacks-Springboks encounter, at the same ground in Yokohama.

Granted this is a new Irish team, one that have proven they can beat the All Blacks, however they have a poor World Cup record having never reached the semifinals in eight attempts.

If the All Blacks and Ireland do win their respective pools then they will be on the opposite side of the knockout draw and could only meet in the final, or bronze final.

Yesterday Ireland coach Joe Schmidt wasn't interested in talking about World Cup chances.

"The World Cup in 11 months' time? People will postulate about who is where and who is favourite. It's a nebulous thing for us because all we can tangibly control is our preparation and then go out searching for a performance," Schmidt said after the 16-9 victory, Ireland's first at home over the All Blacks.

Rugby World Cup pools (current World Ranking)

Pool A
Ireland (2)
Scotland (6)
Japan (11)
Russia (19)
Samoa (17)

Pool B
New Zealand (1)
South Africa (5)
Italy (13)
Namibia (22)
Repechage winner (Canada (21) or Hong Kong (24))

Pool C
England (4)
France (8)
Argentina (9)
USA (15)
Tonga (12)

Pool D
Australia (7)
Wales (3)
Georgia (14)
Fiji (10)
Uruguay (18)