As the All Blacks prepare for a quarter-finals match like no other against Ireland in Paris, the Herald's Cheree Kinnear and Gregor Paul discuss selections, strategies and the stakes at hand. Video / NZ Herald
The Herald runs through the four Rugby World Cup quarter-finals and picks the four semifinalists.
Wales v Argentina
Sunday 4am, Marseille
Warren Gatland’s side can book a semifinal spot for the second straight tournament with the winner of this quarter-final facing either Ireland or the All Blacks inthe final four. Wales began their campaign by holding off a late comeback attempt by Fiji, winning 32-26 after leading 32-14 with seven minutes to play. They then beat Portugal 28-8 before their performance of the World Cup with an impressive 40-6 thrashing of Australia - their biggest win over the Wallabies. A 43-19 victory over Georgia secured top spot in Pool C.
Argentina didn’t book their spot in the quarter-finals until their final Pool D win over Japan. Michael Cheika’s side opened with a disappointing 27-10 defeat to England before edging Samoa 19-10 in Saint-Etienne. The Pumas eased by Chile 59-5 before their breathtaking clash with Japan which decided second spot.
World rankings: Wales 7th, Argentina 9th
Why Wales will win: Gatland’s style of play is made for knockout rugby.
Why Argentina will win: Win the forward battle and make their kicks at goal. Taulupe Faletau andGareth Anscombe missed by Wales.
Wales: Liam Williams, Louis Rees Zammit, George North, Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams, Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Jac Morgan (captain), Adam Beard, Will Rowlands, Tomas Francis, Ryan Elias, Gareth Thomas. Reserves: Dewi Lake, Corey Domachowski, Dillon Lewis, Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza, Tomos Williams, Sam Costelow, Rio Dyer.
Argentina: Juan Cruz Mallia, Emiliano Boffelli, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras, Santiago Carreras, Tomas Cubelli; Facundo Isa, Marcos Kremer, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti, Francisco Gómez Kodela, Julian Montoya (captain), Thomas Gallo. Reserves: Agustín Creevy, Joel Sclavi, Eduardo Bello, Matias Alemanno, Rodrigo Bruni, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Nicolas Sanchez, Matías Moroni.
Ireland v New Zealand
Sunday 8am, Saint-Denis
So they meet again. Four years ago the All Blacks steamrolled the Irish at the same stage. Since then, the two teams have met four times, with Ireland winning three of them, including a first series win on New Zealand soil last year. Ireland finished top of Group B after opening with an 82-8 thrashing of Romania and another big win over Tonga before an enthralling 13-8 win over the Springboks. They ended pool play in style with a brilliant 36-14 win over Scotland to show they are certainly in form.
The All Blacks have been picking up the pace following their opening-night 27-13 defeat to France. Since then it’s been smooth sailing for Ian Foster’s side, who haven’t been tested. They crushed Namibia 71-3 before a 96-17 pasting of Italy and wrapping up pool play with a 73-0 win over Uruguay. The All Blacks scored 38 tries in pool play, the most of any team, 11 more than Ireland, but they’ll face a much sterner task in Paris than they have the last three matches.
Fiji's Josua Tuisova runs to score a try against Australia. Photo / AP
France v South Africa
Monday 8am, Saint-Denis
The hosts opened their campaign with a 27-13 victory over the All Blacks before a less than unconvincing performance against Uruguay, winning 27-12. Big wins over Namibia and Italy saw them top Group A as they head into the quarter-finals in hot form. They have looked the best in the tournament so far but face the three-time champions who certainly know what it takes to win knockout games.
South Africa beat Scotland 18-3 and Romania 70-0 before missed kicks at goal proved costly in a 13-8 defeat to Ireland. The defending champions finished pool play with a 49-18 win over Tonga. The Springboks haven’t played since October 2. France won their last outing last year in Marseille but the Boks claimed the seven previous matches going back to 2010.
Why France will win: Spurred on by home support and the return of Dupont.
Why South Africa will win: The experience off the bench and the know-how to win knockout games.
