Ireland vs New Zealand LIVE! Rugby World Cup 2023 result, match stream and latest updates today

Ireland vs New Zealand LIVE!

The All Blacks are through to another Rugby World Cup semi-final after an epic showdown between two heavyweights of the international arena in Paris on Saturday night. Ian Foster’s side will march on to face Argentina in Friday’s first last-four contest at the Stade de France after the Pumas sprung a surprise by seeing off Wales in Marseille earlier on.

For Ireland, their World Cup quarter-final hoodoo continues - it is the fourth consecutive tournament in which they’ve been ousted at the last-eight stage and the eighth overall. Many felt that this could finally be their year to lift the Webb Ellis Cup after a Six Nations Grand Slam and dominant pool stage, but they fell to an agonising loss in what we now know was retiring captain Johnny Sexton’s final Test of his illustrious career.

Bundee Aki, Jamison Gibson-Park and a penalty try kept the Men in Green alive in a pulsating showdown, but they eventually fell by just four points as the All Blacks got scores from Leicester Fainga’anuku, Ardie Savea and Will Jordan, plus some crucial penalties from the boots of Richie Mo’unga and Jordie Barrett. Follow Ireland vs New Zealand reaction live below!

Ireland vs New Zealand highlights

• Jordie Barrett penalty pushes lead to four

• TRY! Ireland penalty try as Taylor shown yellow

• TRY! Jordan scores after sublime Mo’unga break

• TRY! Gibson-Park strikes before half-time

• TRY! Savea dives over in the corner

• TRY! Aki hits back with Ireland score

• TRY! Fainga’anuku touches down after early penalties

Andy Farrell reaction: Sport can be cruel

22:35 , George Flood

“I'm unbelievably proud of the group, everyone that's been involved over the last couple of years. That was one hell of a game and somebody had to lose - unfortunately it was us tonight.

“Two good teams going at it, fine margins and all that. At the start of the game we coughed up penalties and gave them field position and six points.

"I was so proud of the way we came back and kept attacking them right until the death.

“We've had a good run, but sport can be cruel sometimes - I guess that's why we love it. The way we kept battling shows the character of this side."

22:33 , George Flood

Heartwarming stuff from Sexton Jr to console his tearful Dad as they walk around the pitch after the full-time whistle.

Ireland bids farewell to a true sporting legend tonight - such a shame it has to end like this on such a sour note.

Ireland 24-28 New Zealand

21:53 , George Flood

Full-time

The All Blacks march on but for Ireland it’s utter despair.

They exit the Rugby World Cup at the quarter-final stage for the EIGHTH time in total and for the fourth tournament in a row.

They have still never reached a semi-final on the global stage.

New Zealand incredible - the three-time winners now move on to face Argentina in Paris in the first last-four clash on Friday night.

They will be overwhelming favourites to make another final. You can just never, ever write them off.

Ireland 24-28 New Zealand

21:51 , George Flood

83 mins: Finally there’s a tired Irish error after an unbelievable 38 phases (yes, you read that correctly) and New Zealand earn the match-clinching breakdown penalty through Whitelock!

They celebrate triumphantly with this game now all but over, save them getting the ball off the pitch after the penalty to invite the final whistle.

Ireland 24-28 New Zealand

21:50 , George Flood

83 mins: 35 phases!

Still Ireland go on, midway into the New Zealand 22.

Can they find that all-important last-gasp score?!

Both sides incredibly tired. He won’t want reminding of this, but if Sexton hadn’t missed that very makeable penalty earlier then Ireland could be setting up for a drop goal right now rather than having to hunt a try.

Ireland 24-28 New Zealand

21:49 , George Flood

80 mins: Still Ireland have it, moving carefully from side to side and to the edge of the 22 with the clock in the red.

They almost lose the ball, but for a superb clear-out from McCarthy on Savea. Suspicions of a knock-on there as well.

Still we play with Ireland looking for a last-gasp winning try...

Ireland 24-28 New Zealand

21:47 , George Flood

79 mins: Ireland are up past 20 phases midway into the All Black half.

It’s now or never...

Ireland 24-28 New Zealand

21:46 , George Flood

77 mins: New Zealand have successfully bled so much time off the clock.

But now Ireland do have the ball back!

This is last-chance saloon stuff now... they cannot afford but one mistake.

Ireland 24-28 New Zealand

21:44 , George Flood

75 mins: All Black skipper Cane is replaced by Dalton Papalii.

Dave Kilcoyne also into the Ireland front row, replacing Porter.

Beauden Barrett with a very ambitious long-range drop-goal attempt that doesn’t come close.

Ireland 24-28 New Zealand

21:43 , George Flood

74 mins: A terrible spill from the usually flawless Doris just about sums up Ireland’s frustrations at the moment.

New Zealand are now keeping the ball as much as possible, trying to wind down the clock with that four-point lead.

Ireland 24-28 New Zealand

21:41 , George Flood

72 mins: Wow!

That is some defensive sequence from New Zealand’s stretched 14 men, Jordie Barrett somehow maneuvering his body to keep Ireland’s replacement hooker Kelleher from touching down a go-ahead Ireland try at the last after the effective rolling maul.

It’s a 22-metre drop-out instead. Is that the decisive moment inside the final 10 minutes of this unforgettable encounter?

Ireland 24-28 New Zealand

21:39 , George Flood

70 mins: Huge moments for Ireland as Aki wins a penalty and it’s kicked right to the corner by Sexton.

New Zealand’s undermanned defence will be put severely to the test now...

PENALTY! Ireland 24-28 New Zealand | Jordie Barrett 69'

21:37 , George Flood

69 mins: No mistake from Barrett this time!

Such a cheap penalty given away by Ireland.

Murray whistled for an off-the-ball pull on Barrett.

Farrell will be fuming with that. And rightly so.

Has it cost them the game?

Ireland 24-25 New Zealand

21:36 , George Flood

67 mins: Ireland breathe a huge sigh of relief as Jordie Barrett misses his kick to the left after another scrum penalty coughed up.

Was it Porter again?! “You all just ran to the left,” says referee Barnes.

Ireland 24-25 New Zealand

21:35 , George Flood

65 mins: Anton Lienert-Brown replaces Fainga'anuku for New Zealand.

Ireland send on hooker Ronan Kelleher for Sheehan.

This is as tense as it gets.

PENALTY TRY! Ireland 24-25 New Zealand

21:31 , George Flood

64 mins: Ireland claim the lineout and O’Mahony spearheads a cutting rolling maul that is eventually brought down by Codie Taylor!

It’s an immediate seven points as referee Wayne Barnes blows for a penalty try.

Not only that, but Taylor is also shown a yellow card.

What a momentum-shifter! Back to a one-point game with 15 minutes to play and New Zealand down to 14.

Talk about a grandstand finish!

Ireland 17-25 New Zealand

21:29 , George Flood

64 mins: Fainga'anuku is offside at the ruck!

A big decision goes Ireland’s way and Sexton kicks to the corner.

Ireland have to make the most of this...

Ireland 17-25 New Zealand

21:28 , George Flood

63 mins: New Zealand’s defensive discipline has been good in this second half, with Ireland probing and making good inroads into the 22 now.

These feel like huge moments in this game.

We should also mention the All Blacks subs - Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell and Sam Whitelock are all on.

Off go De Groot, Lomax and Frizell. Both props changed.

Ireland 17-25 New Zealand

21:26 , George Flood

61 mins: Ireland are trying to keep ball in hand now and gather some attacking momentum as they search for the try that would bring them back into this quarter-final contest.

A change at scrum-half from Farrell as Gibson-Park makes way for veteran Conor Murray.

Ireland 17-25 New Zealand

21:25 , George Flood

59 mins: Oh no!

Sexton pushes the kick wide to the left. He knew instantly that he’d fluffed that. He had to make it really.

How important could that prove to be in the outcome of this game?

Ireland now send on Joe McCarthy and Jack Conan.

Off go Henderson and Van der Flier.

Ireland 17-25 New Zealand

21:22 , George Flood

58 mins: What an acrobatic intercept from Smith out wide! He claims Gibson-Park’s pass but can’t keep his footing in a let-off for Ireland.

But Ireland are quickly back in possession and they have a penalty as Ioane is penalised at the ruck.

It’s a huge call from Sexton as he points to the posts this time rather than kicking to the corner.

Can he make it a five-point game from the tee?

Ireland 17-25 New Zealand

21:20 , George Flood

56 mins: Hansen - who was carrying a calf injury before this game, remember - has hurt himself here during a tussle with Beauden Barrett and isn’t getting up.

His night is done. Farrell sends on Jimmy O’Brien in his place.

Another massive blow for Ireland, who are reeling at the moment.

TRY! Ireland 17-25 New Zealand | Will Jordan 53’

21:15 , George Flood

53 mins: Devastating from the All Blacks!

They safely claim their own lineout ball and Retallick quickly pops it back to Smith, who finds Mo’unga.

The fly-half spots the gap between Sheehan and Van der Flier, turning on the jets and speeding up-field before delivering to the supporting Jordan on his right, who flies past Lowe to finish.

Mo’unga then adds a key conversion and it’s suddenly an eight-point game. Ireland now needing more than a converted try.

A truly sensational break that from the NZ No10.

Ireland 17-18 New Zealand

21:14 , George Flood

52 mins: It’s another breakdown infringement from Ireland and New Zealand now earn a pressure-relieving penalty inside their own 22.

It’s Ireland that go to the bench first - Finlay Bealham replacing Furlong at tighthead.

Ireland 17-18 New Zealand

21:12 , George Flood

50 mins: 14 phases from New Zealand after a canny Smith break, with Mo’unga trying to breathe new life into this stalled attack just outside the Irish 22.

Ireland maintain their defensive discipline so well, with the ball coming loose for the turnover!

Ireland 17-18 New Zealand

21:10 , George Flood

49 mins: Pure frustration from Ireland loosehead Porter as he’s penalised at the scrum again.

New Zealand are looking to launch their first proper attack of this second half now they are back up to a full complement of players.

It will also be very intriguing to see who goes to their bench first between Farrell and Foster.

Ireland 17-18 New Zealand

21:09 , George Flood

47 mins: Dangerous Ireland are flashing their intent now as Hansen produces an excellent kick to the right flank that is almost taken in by sprinting hooker Sheehan.

But now New Zealand are back up to 15 men as Smith returns from the bin.

Ireland 17-18 New Zealand

21:07 , George Flood

45 mins: O’Mahony vs Mo’unga is not a battle I expected to be seeing in the corner after an interesting kick from Gibson-Park to try and exploit that obvious size mismatch for a try.

The ball goes loose and it’s touched down by New Zealand hands behind their own line, leading to an All Black scrum.

Ireland 17-18 New Zealand

21:05 , George Flood

43 mins: A kicking battle ensues early in the second half, before Ireland look to open it up down the right flank and make the most of their numerical advantage.

Hansen puts boot to ball and ends up producing an excellent 50:22 kick, giving them a lineout opportunity just inside the All Black 22.

Sheehan’s latest throw is claimed by green hands and Ireland are in business...

Ireland 17-18 New Zealand

21:02 , George Flood

Back underway in Paris!

This is all set up for an absolutely epic second half at the Stade de France.

No changes from either side at the break, with Smith still having six minutes to serve in the bin.

Stat attack

21:00 , George Flood

Ireland 17-18 New Zealand

20:47 , George Flood

Half-time

And breathe!

Wow... what a game.

End-to-end stuff between two brilliant teams - the physicality is off the scale, as expected.

What a second half we have in store. So perfectly poised.

TRY! Ireland 17-18 New Zealand | Jamison Gibson-Park 39'

20:44 , George Flood

39 mins: This is truly end-to-end stuff in Paris! Absolutely thrilling... as we all knew it would be.

Much better at the lineout at last from Ireland, who get their rolling maul working after Savea comes around the ruck illegally to try and pick up the ball.

Sexton opts to kick for touch rather than take the points, with the Irish fans in the stands backing that decision.

And it pays off handsomely, with Auckland-born Gibson-Park selling the clever little show and go before battling through to touch down under huge pressure.

Sexton guides the resulting conversion over. It’s a one-point game at the Stade de France!

Ireland 10-18 New Zealand

20:43 , George Flood

36 mins: New Zealand are down to 14 men for the next 10 minutes either side of half-time!

Smith sticks out a lazy arm to deflect a Hansen pass after great work from the Ireland wing and it’s rightly ruled as deliberate and denying a potential try-scoring chance.

He’s shown a yellow card by referee Wayne Barnes.

TRY! Ireland 10-18 New Zealand | Ardie Savea 34’

20:38 , George Flood

34 mins: New Zealand are in again!

No 8 Savea dives past Lowe into the right corner after some strong carries in the 22 and a sweet final pass from Ioane.

That all came from another lost Ireland lineout and an arrowed Jordan 50:22 kick that gave the All Blacks their latest attacking platform.

Ireland have to clean that up. And fast. New Zealand are too good not to repeatedly take advantage of such sloppiness.

Mo’unga’s conversion is offline, however. The New Zealand lead stands at eight.

Ireland 10-13 New Zealand

20:37 , George Flood

30 mins: That is superb defending, first from Sheehan then Doris to stop the All Blacks in their tracks.

It was a great little chip from Mo’unga initially to set Savea on his way.

TRY! Ireland 10-13 New Zealand | Bundee Aki 28'

20:32 , George Flood

28 mins: That’s more like the Ireland we know!

That is sensational from Aki, who steps inside wonderfully and shrugs off about four attempted tackles to glide home despite the pass to him being delivered rather high.

Sexton adds the simplest of conversions to cut the All Black lead to just three points.

Just what they needed after a disappointing and sluggish start.

What a tournament Aki is having.

Ireland 3-13 New Zealand

20:30 , George Flood

24 mins: RefereeWayne Barnes has lost connection with the TMO here due to a technical issue.

When he gets it back, the pair are satisfied that Beauden Barrett did not make contact with the head of Bundee Aki, insisting it was chest and nothing more.

I think Barnes should have had a look at that himself on the big screen - Sexton looks incensed.

It’s all very sloppy from Ireland at the moment, mistakes galore as they lose a lineout now.

PENALTY! Ireland 3-13 New Zealand | Johnny Sexton 23'

20:25 , George Flood

23 mins: Ireland will be relieved to be on the board straight after that Fainga’anuku try, with Frizell pinged for crossing and running straight across Keenan after the kick-off.

Sexton steps up and drills over the penalty.

TRY! Ireland 0-13 New Zealand | Leicester Fainga’anuku 20'

20:22 , George Flood

20 mins: The All Blacks look in ominous mood in Paris!

Beauden Barrett with a great kick and gather as he cleverly chips and charges through the middle untouched.

He feeds wing Fainga’anuku, who exchanges passes with Ioane before touching down in the left corner - his fourth try in two games after that hat-trick against Uruguay.

Mo’unga steps up to add the extras and below-par Ireland are in a 13-point hole with a quarter of this game gone.

They need to wake up before this gets away from them in a hurry.

Ireland 0-6 New Zealand

20:22 , George Flood

18 mins: Ireland are uncharacteristically struggling at the breakdown early on, Cane now winning New Zealand’s latest penalty after a good tackle and roll away from Frizell.

They are winning most of those battles at the moment.

Ireland 0-6 New Zealand

20:20 , George Flood

16 mins: Terrific work from Retallick to win a key turnover for New Zealand as Ireland threatened to register the first try of the evening.

Sumptous link-up play between Gibson-Park and Hansen there to give the Irish a strong attacking platform inside the All Black 22.

PENALTY! Ireland 0-6 New Zealand | Jordie Barrett 14'

20:17 , George Flood

14 mins: That’s a massive hit from All Blacks skipper Cane on Irish No 8 Doris, with Savea instantly getting his body over the ball to get the penalty at the breakdown.

Jordie Barrett steps up from just inside his own half to nail a long-range penalty that doubles the confident All Blacks’ early lead.

A positive start from New Zealand to this massive quarter-final.

Ireland 0-3 New Zealand

20:14 , George Flood

11 mins: In contrast, Ireland need just two phases to win their penalty for Savea straying offside.

Sexton wants to kick for touch and Ireland manage to get the ball back after a lost lineout.

Gibson-Park finds Keenan who tries to tee up Lowe down the left, but the pass is behind him and the chance is lost.

You can’t fault Ireland’s ambition, but should they have taken the points there to level this up early doors?

PENALTY! Ireland 0-3 New Zealand | Richie Mo’unga 8'

20:11 , George Flood

9 mins: After an incredible 30 phases of their first attack, New Zealand do now have the advantage for Beirne not rolling away in the tackle.

Mo’unga takes a free shot with a cross-field kick for Jordan, with Lowe doing just enough to keep him at bay and knock the ball dead.

We come back for the penalty and New Zealand point to the posts, Mo’unga executing a simple kick to give his side a narrow early lead.

Ireland 0-0 New Zealand

20:08 , George Flood

6 mins: New Zealand quickly up to double-digit phases and making good ground in the 22 as the Irish defence is put under pressure for the first time tonight.

The patient All Blacks go left and right and back again, with some lovely handling on display.

We’re up past 25 phases now, with Ireland not even giving away an advantage yet.

The line speed is good and they are keeping their discipline. For now...

Ireland 0-0 New Zealand

20:06 , George Flood

3 mins: New Zealand continue their iffy start with some kicking and handling errors, but they do now earn a penalty at the scrum with Porter whistled for an early shove.

Mo’unga boots to touch to give the All Blacks their first decent attacking platform in these opening exchanges.

Ireland 0-0 New Zealand

20:03 , George Flood

1 min: Ireland give away the first penalty of the night, with prop Andrew Porter off his feet at the breakdown.

Some early nerves on display from the All Blacks though as a kick is rather sliced into touch by Richie Mo’unga.

Ireland vs New Zealand

20:02 , George Flood

Off and running in a blockbuster in Paris!

Will Ireland see off the All Blacks to finally end their Rugby World Cup quarter-final hoodoo?

Argentina lie in wait for tonight’s winners on Friday.

English referee Wayne Barnes blows his whistle and Sexton kicks to get us underway...

Ireland vs New Zealand

20:00 , George Flood

Ireland’s players stand in two circles for the Haka, forming a figure of eight in memory of the late Irish and Munster legend Anthony Foley.

They stare down intently as ‘Fields of Athenry’ rings out from the stands.

This has truly got the feeling of an epic sporting occasion. Let’s hope the match itself lives up to the lofty billing!

Ireland vs New Zealand

19:58 , George Flood

Emotive stuff as always through the anthems.

Now New Zealand line up for the Haka.

Ireland vs New Zealand

19:54 , George Flood

Superb noise at the Stade de France as the teams emerge from the tunnel, led out by respective captains Johnny Sexton and Sam Cane.

A minute’s silence is very poorly observed, with a lot of mindless shouting going on. Disappointing.

Now for the national anthems.

All Blacks to relish rare underdog role?

19:51 , George Flood

Though this isn’t quite a vintage All Blacks team (yet), it is still strange to see them go into any game as underdogs - let alone a World Cup quarter-final.

But Ireland have had their number in recent times and may be more battle-tested after those wins over South Africa and Scotland, with New Zealand having rolled past the Pool A fodder after being bested by hosts France on opening night more than a month ago.

A reminder that head coach Ian Foster will be leaving his post regardless of what happens at this tournament, having decided not to re-apply for the role earlier this year.

Crusaders legend Scott Robertson will take the reins instead from the start of 2024.

Six changes from New Zealand

19:39 , George Flood

It’s six changes from New Zealand to the team that demolished Uruguay 73-0 in Lyon on October 5.

In the pack, loosehead prop Ethan de Groot and No 8 Ardie Savea are back, while Aaron Smith returns at scrum-half and Rieko Ioane in the centres. Tyrel Lomax has recovered from a knee issue.

Scott and Beauden come back to join brother Jordie Barrett, while Mark Telea has been dropped for a disciplinary breach.

That allows Leicester Fainga’anuku to retain his starting berth out wide after that hat-trick against Los Teros.

The likes of Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Luke Jacobsen don’t even make the squad, with the in-form Damian McKenzie only a replacement along with Sam Whitelock and Anton Lienert-Brown.

The Scottish-born Fin Christie is also preferred to Cam Roigard as cover for Smith at 9.

Ireland unchanged as Lowe and Hansen passed fit

19:31 , George Flood

Continuity and consistency with selection has been so key to Ireland’s success under Andy Farrell, who is able to name an unchanged starting XV tonight from the 36-14 win over Scotland in Paris last weekend with wingers James Lowe - born and raised in New Zealand - and Mack Hansen both having shaken off fitness concerns.

Vice-captain James Ryan misses out entirely though due to a hand injury, with Tadhg Beirne and Iain Henderson partnered in the second row again.

Ryan’s absence means Leinster team-mate Joe McCarthy comes onto the bench, while Jimmy O’Brien is preferred to Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey on the bench.

19:18 , George Flood

The stage is set!

The Stade de France with a packed house under the lights - not too many better stages for such a colossal encounter.

Atmosphere building in Paris

19:11 , George Flood

There should be some atmosphere at the Stade de France tonight.

Fans are already making their voices heard both inside and outside the iconic venue with less than an hour to go until kick-off in Paris...

Ireland vs New Zealand: Mack Hansen’s Andy Farrell tattoo

19:05 , Jonathan Gorrie

Andy Farrell’s face will find its way onto the Stade de France field tonight.

Wing Mack Hansen kept his Grand Slam promise and had Ireland boss Farrell’s mug tattooed onto his thigh. Plenty of hard-nosed Test rugby coaches would have hated Hansen’s tattoo, but Farrell loved it.

“When Andy found out about the tattoo talk, he told me I wouldn’t be allowed back into the Ireland camp without it,” Hansen said.

Farrell has relaxed the Ireland camp since taking the baton from Joe Schmidt following the 2019 World Cup, with players relishing the more laid-back attitude in the Test set-up.

“When it’s time to go to work, everyone gives everything,” said Hansen. “But when it’s time to switch off, it’s important to enjoy that time with friends, family or in the camp ourselves.

“He’s made the camp a really comfortable place. It helps that he’s very sure of himself and everything he’s been through. When he talks, you listen.”

Schmidt looking to oust old side in Paris

18:48 , George Flood

Former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt will be looking to mastermind a New Zealand triumph to upset his old side in Paris tonight.

The ex-Leinster and Ireland head coach takes care of the All Black attack these days, and has whipped New Zealand into far better shape in the last 12 months.

Schmidt’s borderline obsessive attention to detail, coupled with his insider knowledge, marks the former schoolteacher out as a genuine threat to Ireland’s chances.

“I see evidence of Joe’s coaching through the team. Joe’s done a great job over the last 12 months, they’ve made big strides,” said Johnny Sexton.

“Joe knows us well, we know him well, but Joe doesn’t get to make any tackles or run any lines at the weekend. But the legacy he left Irish rugby is massive.”

Sexton: Ireland prepared to end quarter-final hoodoo

18:34 , George Flood

Johnny Sexton insists Ireland are fully mentally prepared to jump their Rugby World Cup quarter-final hurdle against New Zealand.

Andy Farrell’s Ireland have powered to the top of the world rankings and are now determined to progress beyond the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time, and end their long-running last-eight hoodoo.

“We have worked on our mental game for the last four years and put ourselves in different scenarios to prepare for this,” said Sexton.

“All the previous quarter-finals have been different, each of those groups have been different so it’s not like we have been in quarter-finals year on year.

“This is a one-off game and you have got to prepare for that. We’re just trying to win a World Cup, it’s something you have to go and get.”

18:26 , George Flood

Certainly no disrespect to Argentina, who are a force to be reckoned with on their day despite an underwhelming tournament up until tonight.

But the winners of this Ireland-New Zealand showdown will be overwhelming favourites to reach the final on October 28.

The stakes are so, so high in Paris. Can’t wait.

Ireland vs New Zealand winners to face Argentina

18:21 , George Flood

So we now know that the winner of tonight’s Paris epic will be facing Argentina back at the Stade de France in Friday night’s first semi-final showdown.

The Pumas have twice fought back to eliminate Wales in a tense opening last-eight clash in Marseille this evening.

Dan Biggar - who will now retire from international rugby - had an early try and penalty to give Wales a commanding 10-0 lead at the Stade Velodrome, but Argentina hit back through the reliable boost of wing Emiliano Boffelli.

Boffelli then had them in front from the tee, only for Tomos Williams’ opportunistic try to put Wales back ahead 17-12.

But Argentina got another close-range score from Joel Sclavi and an intercept try from Nicolas Sanchez, plus another last-gasp Boffelli penalty to seal their third semi-final berth.

Heartbreak for Wales.

Ireland vs New Zealand: Revenge on the cards for the All Blacks?

18:10 , Jonathan Gorrie

Revenge is certainly on the mind for the All Blacks heading into this blockbuster clash.

They are not used to losing matches, let alone a series, and so last year’s defeat to Ireland on home soil is something they are keen to put right.

Ireland are on a 17-match winning streak, but Beauden Barrett is confident New Zealand can bring an abrupt halt to that in Paris.

“We learnt a lot during that series, it was a challenging time, some of the most challenging times we’ve faced as an All Black team, and personally, losing the series in our back yard,” Barrett said.

“It’s going to be great because there are a lot of us who are pretty keen to get one up on them and still we’re hurting from what happened last year.”

Ireland vs New Zealand: Head to head (h2h) history and results

18:01 , Jonathan Gorrie

After failing to win any of the first 28 matches between the two nations, Ireland have now come out on top in five of the last eight encounters.

That includes a 32-22 win over the All Blacks in Wellington last year to seal a series victory, one that will give Andy Farrell’s side huge confidence.

Ireland wins: 5

New Zealand wins: 30

Draws: 1

Ireland vs New Zealand: Eighth time lucky for the Irish?

17:54 , Jonathan Gorrie

Seven times they have made it to the quarter-final stage of a Rugby World, but they have never made it to the last-four.

It’s a remarkable statistic and one they have been reminded of all week, but the number-one ranked side in the world look as well-placed now as they ever have to break new ground.

As it stands, they are favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup on October 28.

Ireland vs New Zealand: Bundee Aki eyeing new history

17:42 , Jonathan Gorrie

Bundee Aki is ready to spearhead Ireland’s Zombie march into a first-ever Rugby World Cup semi-final.

Aki, up against the country of his birth tonight, has beaten 23 defenders in Ireland’s four matches in France, delivering a monstrous nine clean line breaks.

The 33-year-old has loved every minute of Ireland’s fans taking over Paris, particularly when belting out The Cranberries’ 1994 hit Zombie inside Stade de France.

Team-mate Conor Murray joked that Aki believes Ireland’s latest vogue supporters’ song is in complete tribute to him.

“He thinks they’re singing ‘Bundee, Bundee’, but they’re definitely not,” said Murray.

“He has been playing the rugby of his life. He can come across as a bit of a messer, but behind the scenes Bundee is incredible.

“The level of detail he goes into – he is always on the computer, trying to figure things out. He’s actually a smart fella, believe it or not!”

Ireland vs New Zealand: Who is the referee today?

17:39 , Jonathan Gorrie

English referee Wayne Barnes has been handed this fixture with assistance from countrymen Christophe Ridley and Matthew Carley running the lines, and Tom Foley on TMO.

Prediction: Ireland to reach semi-finals

17:34 , Jonathan Gorrie

After two low-key matches to begin the tournament, the pressure on Ireland swiftly cranked up.

They have very much risen to the occasion, coming through a bruising encounter with defending champions South Africa before blowing Scotland away in the first-half in Paris to further strengthen the argument that they are ready to deliver on the biggest stage.

Their defence has been incredible, though that will come under huge scrutiny against the All Blacks, who have scored 36 tries across their last three wins.

The obvious caveat is that the free-flowing rugby from New Zealand has come against sides who are a mile off the levels Ireland have been producing so far at the World Cup, and this will inevitably be a far more physical, attritional encounter at times.

Ireland will again have massive support at the Stade de France, and those in green on the pitch can give those in the stands something to cheer once more as they take another major step towards the Webb Ellis Cup.

Ireland to win, by ten points

New Zealand team news: Telea dropped

17:33 , Jonathan Gorrie

Replacements: Kelleher, Kilcoyne, Bealham, McCarthy, Conan, Murray, Crowley, O’Brien

New Zealand XV: B Barrett; Jordan, Ioane, J Barrett, Fainga’anuku; Mo’unga, Smith; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax; Retallick, S Barrett; Frizell, Cane (c), Savea

Replacements: Coles, Williams, Newell, Whitelock, Papali’i, Christie, McKenzie, Lienert-Brown

Ireland team news: Hansen and Lowe fit

17:32 , Jonathan Gorrie

Ireland XV: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (c), Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; Beirne, Henderson; O’Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris

Replacements: Kelleher, Kilcoyne, Bealham, McCarthy, Conan, Murray, Crowley, O’Brien

How to watch Ireland vs New Zealand

17:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

TV channel: Ireland vs New Zealand is available to watch live and free to air tonight in the UK on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 7:15pm.

Live stream: Fans can also catch the quarter-final action live online via the ITVX website and app.

Live blog: Follow the game live tonight with Standard Sport’s blog.

Welcome

17:30 , Jonathan Gorrie

The stage is set for a truly blockbuster second Rugby World Cup quarter-final showdown in Paris tonight.

The magnificent Stade de France will host a Les Bleus side boosted by the return of captain Antoine Dupont to take on defending champions South Africa tomorrow night, but first it’s the small matter of Ireland vs New Zealand this evening.

It simply doesn’t get much bigger than this, with the world’s No1-ranked team looking to get over their last-eight hoodoo against the ever-dangerous three-time winners in front of a sold-out crowd under the lights.

Ireland have incredibly never previously reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, but plenty are now tipping them to go all the way in France after a stunning Pool B campaign that included a hugely physical win over the Springboks.

Kick-off tonight is at 8pm BST, so stay tuned for match build-up, team news and live updates.

This should be epic!