As a kiwi I can guarantee you almost every other kiwi i've spoken to was wishing we had SA in the quarter final. The bookies might have Ireland as marginal favourites but i'd put them as clear favourites, they've been simply incredible the past two years and I don't think our boys can stop them unless they play the game of their lives. Either way, i'll be at the game cheering the ABs on! Here's to a cracking match and best of luck for the rest of the tournament to whichever team triumphs!

I'm amazed at the lack of belief by the panel in this Irish team. Thank God this Irish team does not think like them. Ireland are favorites for very good reasons.

Im a AB fan and I wanted Ireland in the QF , partly to respond to the test series defeat last year and partly because you may beat SA in a QF but the attrition rate can be savage

There's no shame for either side losing. The Irish are the best team in the world and the All Blacks are an amazing team too. This game should be enjoyed by Irish and kiwi fans, we are good friends and no match should spoil a good friendship. Millions of kiwis have Irish heritage in our blood. The first All Black captain was Irish. No matter what happens on Saturday Night in Paris I have decided I will be delighted for the winner and a litle sad for the loser. If our beloved All Blacks go down I will be backing Ireland for the rest of the tournament. Go well, and may the best team win on the night and may we all enjoy it for what it is, an outstanding display of speed, power.courage, mental toughness, brotherly love and focussed aggression. What's not to love about that.

Us kiwis are super excited for this game but if Ireland weren’t playing us, we’d love to see them go through. Loving the way the play rugby

As a diehard all black fan i love what ireland bring to the field absolutely this is going to be a true test match fantastic

I’m a kiwi and not remotely nervous. We got a good side who have the ability to win. If we do great. If we don’t, oh well… no shame in losing to this Irish side. So long as the boys leave it all out there on the field.

No wonder this is the greatest Irish team ever. Half of them weren’t even born in Ireland 😂

Shane Horgan has a really good analytical approach to his comments.

As an ab fan, the only game i want, is this one. We either get revenge for 2022, or we go out on our shield. But either way, ireland are who i wanted.

The black wave is coming. It doesn’t forget. It’s doesn’t forgive. It’s gonna be a king tide. Let’s go All Blacks. ❤💪💪💪

Always great from Rob!

So Glad Mack Hansen and James Lowe are available.

cant wait to watch the game

4:43 “NZ are pretty soft on defence” Well soft defence just knocked you out of another quarter final

"You'll never beat the Oirish." LOLOLOLOL.

Razor Robinson will make the All Black's hard to beat.

Ireland kicking very important. Kicking must offer them little chance to run the ball back in open field situations. The settled side should see them through.

It's a Durex maximum sensation between these two teams.

my god what a game to look ford too.

😂😂😂. Last week Ireland we’re going to beat everyone. This week the doubts are creeping in.

SA vs NZ final, we all know it ;)

Ya Stop, the IFS,WHEN,WHERE & HOW. IRELAND have been very Professional/Exciting & know what they have to Do. RELAX Guys Go IRELAND

Agreed, on both teams day they can beat each other ..if they bring it on the same day..god help us...

In the 2019 1/4final Ireland had high expectations too. If NZ gets their nose in front by 10points I doubt Ireland will be able to chase them down

the lads just need a pre-match guiness and they'll be fine as usual 🇮🇪

These guys are a good rugby panel.

Many of the same players on both teams from the 2019 quarterfinal

Shane was the only one who called it. Wasn’t in with the media hype

I love Shane Horgan, he’s one of my all stars and a gent. That said, he’s part of an old mindset. It’s a mindset that has no place in the current outfit. You can see clearly by their approach that this kind of historical analysis won’t come into the game one bit. We’re absolutely ready for this

50/50.

4:43-4:56. True words spoken here.

Ireland must win this game and go to the final, if they don’t who knows when the next time they will have a team if this calibre again.

From an Irish perspective, I think it’s because we’ve been in positions before where we thought it was our time/we were better than we were and we’ve been dumped out of tournament with our tail between ours legs. That’s why I feel the lads are so hesitant to say we’re gonna win. Not to mention the fact it’s NZ and the history they have of just being this inevitable force. We can beat them, but I’d say most Irish fans are nervous as hell . COYBIG.

The game every kiwi wanted. Time for vengeance lads, and if we go out, no shame in losing to the most dominant team of the last few years.

Wales v Ireland semi final would be a good game 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Absolutely valid points by all on this panel! Most especially about Ireland's world ranking being irrelevant from an ABs point of view & also about rectifying the ledger after Ireland's first series victory in NZ last year. So,does this outstanding ABs victory make up for last year's disappointing series loss to Ireland? Damn right it does....but the ABs need to quickly refocus & make sure they get the job done in the semi!!!! Let's go ABs 💯🏉🇳🇿❤️

8 for 8!

Hahah everyone DESPERATE to be the underdog for this one! It’s always a better spot to be the pessimist and win, than the optimist and lose - love the Irish team, but it’s the ABS for me! Leshgooo

The ref will choose the winner

I think Ireland edge it. They look relaxed and happy in press conferences and the NZ squad look a little on edge. Hopefully we can do it 🍀

The time has come to see what the three time bottlers can do against the three times champions.

Ireland are favourites but a NZ 10-20 minute purple patch is always a possibility and difficult to make up for.

NZ does not like to play in their 22 under pressure. That is how the Boks and the French got them .

Some key injury returns for NZ that were were absent against Boks & French…

Would be nice to see cup logo on the green jersey in the next world cup.

Come on Ireland

As a kiwi, good luck to Australia

Feels that way. Jackpot QF. Will see. Ireland are no 1 for a reason. Still want to play the green machine.

Im surprised that they're going for NZ here. They have lost the last 2 games against top tier teams. They haven't played a top tier team for 5 weeks. Ireland are in top form, haven't lost for 16 games, have played 2 of the top 5 teams in the last 3 weeks. I think NZ will be undercooked and will not be able to live with the physicality Ireland will bring. It'll be close, but i think green will prevail

Is this from 2019?

4:42= New Zealand are pretty soft in their defence😂

ABs are going to smash Ireland just get over it Paddy.

My loyalties are always with the all blacks but I have loved watching Ireland these past couple of years

There's no evidence that NZ win. All the evidence say Ireland. This Irish pessimism is boring at this stage. If Ireland hold possession they'll dominate.

ITV Commentary please:)

Your'e right.This Ireland team is on a mission.'Im an American citizen from England with family in NZ&Australia and was in a Welsh Regiment in 1960s ! Have all the Flags except Ireland's!..Gonna get one

On the up side at least the ABs will be coming home after this game which gives more time to prepare for the next Cup. GO THE BLACK CAPS THOUGH

Beware the team that finds form during the competition.

Irish changing room before the match: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/b76RhpxkvLO2gYU.html

New Zealand need to announce an 8-0 split on the bench and watch Matt’s head explode 😅

Don't bottle it Ireland

The beauty of it is, is New Zealand think they can step up a gear and over run this Ireland team This Ireland team will be not be fazed .. and over run right back at them

Horgan is talking mostly from his own experience of playing against NZ. This Irish team are a good two scores better than NZ who rely on moments of brilliance to score points. France and SA have shown recently just how bad a team NZ really are. Both of them hammered NZ as will the #1 team in the world.

All Blacks will enjoy all the pressure not being on them for a change. This is anyone's game. Ireland have been exceptional but never rule out the ABs . May the Best team Win 🖤🖤🖤GO THE MIGHTY ALL BLACKS !!!

I just have a few stats for our Northern Hemisphere friends regarding the greatest rugby team of all time the “All Blacks” 77.12% win record over all countries (the best in the world) AB’s number one ranked rugby team from 2004 to 2019 23 test victories, in a row from 1987 to November 1990 AB’s from 2000 to 2009 had a 92% winning record against all countries AB’s have played Ireland 36 times and have won 30 times That’s just a few stats of this great New Zealand rugby team!! I have Irish heritage, my grandparents on both sides came over to NZ from Northern Ireland, so they have always been my second favourite national rugby team, (I love hearing the Irish fans singing Zombie, It’s truly amazing) And if the Irish boys do get up and beat New Zealand. We have a super coach (Scott Robertson) waiting to start next season 🏉 I absolutely love the Irish people and their rugby team, but I love New Zealand more….

NZ may be the best version for a while but the flaws are still there. Lost to SA and Fra, two physical teams, that were better defensively and so powerful in the set piece. NZ can be as motivated for revenge as they like, it still won't bridge the gap.

It will be a big challenge for both teams but regardless of NZ's bad recent form and Irelands great current form, I still think All Blacks will beat Ireland by 20+ points

I view it as a 50:50 game. We have to blast our way to the semi final. Now is the time. NZ have almost always been the benchmark and there would be no better way to do it than against them.

The 23 to 20 win against Australia in the summer dosent seem so impresive now either does it after seeing the Ozzies in this world cup .

Time for that obligatory Green bottle to shatter in to 1,000 pieces…again! 😘👍

I reacon whoever wins this match wins the cup.

Remember Shane is from NZ

Frankly I think the panel were sniffing glue in the toilets before this program😂...look world this trophy is South Africas we own it..the Springboks will wollop everybody from here on...Ireland we will see you in the final and it will be your last day winning for certain...just imagine the Springboks firing as we did at Twikkenham and remember you must face what the All Blacks did and face a bigger hiding...good luck Ireland...

All Blacks going home. The Irish have the firepower upfront and the pace out wide….

Why does Horgan say this is a different NZ team than the one who just lost to SA and France? Did wins over Italy, Uruguay, and Namibia really change their game? That's ludicrous. They're still a very good, very dangerous team, but they haven't changed markedly and Ireland are still favorites, though by relatively slim margins.

As a kiwi I think Ireland have got this one. I will be very surprised if NZ win

honestly i think we going to win nz 60-65% of the time, lets see if we get smoked or not

NZ seem a bit hot and cold .... maybe hotter when they can bully teams and get on top. If Ireland stick with them or are in front at half time i can see NZ falling away.

Ok... here's my take: Ireland are absolutely vibing and are a force to be reckoned with right now, no argument. AB's are possibly faltering and not what we've gotten used to over many years, obvious. But here's the thing: History means nothing now. It's all psychological on Saturday - for once I agree with Matt Williams (hardly ever happens) in that the difference between them is paper thin... For me, it's about two hoodoos up against each other: 1. Ireland needing to get out of a QF for the first time vs. 2. NZ not wanting to be the first AB team that doesn't. On the breakdown today Sir John called it. It's going to be about who can discard the psyche history and be 1000% present in the moments. For that reason I'm saying AB's get over the line. Good luck to both teams! As Saffas, we have our own problems : A hundred and plenty thousand French supporters to worry about on Sunday!! 🙄

Ireland 34- New Zealand 14

It's proven! If You play a tight defence game against NZ! They sink...I remember the Super Rugby Series Blues vs Stormers 2004 (The Defence Trademark / The era of defence in SA Rugby how the Stormers tore apart the Blues with a historical win ...pack & backline was clueless what hit them) If Ireland push for the fast and furious game plan....well they will play right into NZ hands. Clinical, tight & attacking with great defensive structure, the NZ 's will leak their wounds... I believe if NZ keep it tight we are in for a thriller, will we see extra time come into play?if it's the case NZ will definitely be the Favourites.

Time to back ourselves if we play well we win.

I don't mean to be mean but let's be honest this year is Ireland's❤❤❤❤❤ year from the springboks fan❤❤❤❤❤

All Blacks 28 Ireland 24. You can be the best/no.1 in the world, but better to be the best on the day in knockout rugby. Never underestimate an All Blacks team.

nz to win 20-30 points explosive

Wots Shane Horgan on about. NZ are making mistakes etc coz they are not the team with the players he faced. Guys like Retallick, Whitlock etc are in the twilight of their careers. Of course they are making a resurgence but who did they face Italy and Namibia. NZ are still a good team but not the great team of yore and if Ireland don't play like they did against us ie South Africa they could lose. Ireland should be regarded as clear favorites but they need to have good coffee for breakfast. Not that it is much of a choice but I'm happier to be playing France than NZ. Hopefully 2 of the 4 on this side of the draw end up in the final whoever that may be.

We Irish don't underestimate any side. Great respect for New Zealand 🇳🇿. We never wanted France 🇫🇷.. Home ground Advertising is major. . Two coin tosser for both games. Cmon Ireland 🇮🇪.

"history does mean sonething here"? It matters a little but not bearly as much as the pundits say. That was a different group of plsyers.

I think Joe sch has actually dis-improved NZs style of play. Against France , NZ looked like how Ireland did against NZ back in 2019..playing too safe , lacking flare, no answers when things start going against them.

n.z will kick the shit out of it, for game plan reasons, Scotland didnt and look what happened, Scotland kicked poorly when they did. for me n.z need to kick as little as possible, Ireland are the best team at hanging onto the ball, this wont happen I think n.z will kick n kick.

Too negative from these guys re Ireland. That said ABs clearly improving… too close to call but if forced I’d pick Ireland to win - better across defence/breakdown/pack

Ireland for the win by 18 mark my words

History still makes me think New Zealand will win but I hope I'm wrong.Off topic,is there going to be any mention of the massacre in Israel?

Repeat of 2019 semis coming up.

I see Ireland beat New Zealand not because New Zealand are weaker or that they got already beaten by Ireland but this Irish team is different. They don't play under pressure and they believe they can go all the way through which was not the case before in 2019 and 2015.

Shane Horgan never won with Ireland people forget that we associate him with ROG O'Driscoll O'Connell but sadly he just didn't make it to 2009 ( not counting triple crowns as winning I know he didn't) we forget so much of his career was being the nearly man but sadly for him Ireland started winning just after he retired. That's 7 years 2000 to 2007 falling just short but that's also 16 years ago now. Ireland have won 3 Grand Slams 5 six nations 2 consecutive series in the Southern Hemisphere. I can forgive him but I think he's wrong. As Joe Shmidt said history doesn't protect you from the future.

as a bok fan ireland to win by 15

Ireland are great but I just feel they rely heavily on one or two players

This is THE GRAND FINAL... Albeit unofficial.. Ireland vs All Blacks