The second quarter-final, and it’s arguably the big one as the number one side in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings powered by Capgemini goes head to head with the three-time champions for a place in the last four.
It’s a match to send shivers of anticipation down the spines of rugby fans everywhere.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has kept faith in the starting team that convincingly defeated Scotland last time out, as they look to book a semi-final place for the first time.
The only two changes to the match-day team are on the bench, with Joe McCarthy replacing the injured second-row James Ryan, and Jimmy O’Brien coming in for Stuart McCloskey.
Ireland assistant coach Mike Catt said they know what to expect from Ireland: "What we've seen is the good All Blacks of old, really. Exceptionally dangerous ball-in-hand. Joe [Schmidt] has definitely brought a physicality at the breakdown and their ball carrying. Obviously, it was something that Joe was massively passionate about with Ireland as well, especially in the wide breakdowns.
"They put a lot of pressure in those areas, so it's making sure that we match them physically but being tactically good in the same breath. Across the board they have a hell of a lot of experience, even coming off the bench - you know, Sam Whitelock - these guys that have hundreds of caps really. They are very experienced and know exactly what they need to do to win these big occasions. It's going to be a great test match and we're looking forward to it."
New Zealand, meanwhile, after losing in the pool phase for the first time, won’t want their tournament to end at this stage for just the second time in their history. The first, and so far the only time? At RWC 2007, hosted by France.
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster said the All Blacks must be the favourites: "The work they have done, the work we have put in in the last three or four months really. We've always known coming to this World Cup that assuming we did the business in the pool, it was most likely Ireland or South Africa. Either way, you have got a monster quarter-final. It's not like this is a surprise. Mentally we have been ready for it and mentally we know that we have to prepare a week at a time.
"I have full belief in this group. If you look at the quarter-finals, there are going to be four quality teams that won't be in the semi-finals and we 're pretty determined that we're not one of them. We know it is going to be a massive game. The only way to go into these games is believing in your game and who you are, and we do."
Teams:
Ireland: 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 5 Iain Henderson, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Johnny Sexton (c), 11 James Lowe, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Mack Hansen, 15 Hugo Keenan. Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Joe McCarthy, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Jimmy O’Brien.
All Blacks: 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Scott Barrett, 6 Shannon Frizell, 7 Sam Cane (c), 8 Ardie Savea, 9 Aaron Smith, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 11 Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Will Jordan, 15 Beauden Barrett. Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Samuel Whitelock, 20 Dalton Papali'i, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown.
