Rugby World Cup: All Blacks vs Ireland head to head ratings for the quarterfinal
The clash between the All Blacks and Ireland in Paris on Sunday morning (NZT) will see the two best teams from the southern and northern hemispheres go head-to-head.
The All Blacks won the Rugby Championship. Ireland were crowned Six Nations champions.
As they line-up for the World Cup quarterfinal at Stade de France they will prepare to spend the next 80 minutes trying to find potential chinks in each other's armour, to stay alive in the contest to secure the Webb Ellis Cup.
Ireland, a team that has won its last 17 games and is listed as the head of the World Rugby rankings, are a team to be feared and respected in equal measure.
The All Blacks, who are fourth in the World Rugby rankings, enter this fixture as underdogs.
It's not often the men in black find themselves in this position, but the reality is that Ireland have been the most dominant team on the world stage for more than 12 months.
Richard Knowler and Marc Hinton have assessed, and marked, the players from both teams to determine which team looks the strongest ahead of what shapes as an epic clash.
ALL BLACKS v IRELAND
FORWARDS
NO 8
Ardie Savea (ALL BLACKS)
8.5/10
Heart and soul of the ABs pack and talismanic figure. If he gets thighs pumping, hips swerving and thunders over the advantage line, look out Ireland.
Caelan Doris (IRELAND)
8/10
One of many brilliant No 8s at this event. Physical specimen with high work-rate, big tackle count and excellent impact around the park. Key figure.
OPENSIDE FLANKER
Sam Cane (ALL BLACKS)
6/10
Solid operator who makes his tackles and will contest the arm-wrestle up front, but hasn’t proven a difference-maker. Will this be the game?
Josh van der Flier (IRELAND)
7/10
Another quality type who loves to tackle and is a perfect complement to his hard-nosed compatriots in the loose. Can make a big play.
BLINDSIDE FLANKER
Shannon Frizell (ALL BLACKS)
7/10
Looks on the improve. Brings physicality on carry, hits hard on defence and is a great lineout target. Was missed when out injured.
Peter O’Mahony (IRELAND)
8/10
An absolute warrior who never takes a backward step. Lifeblood of this team with no-prisoners attitude. Quality type, good in air and over ball, and will do whatever required.
LOCK
Scott Barrett (ALL BLACKS)
7.5/10
The reason Sam Whitelock is on the bench. On top of his multi-faceted game, busy, skilful, and a real presence. Discipline his big issue.
Iain Henderson (IRELAND)
6.5/10
Excellent replacement for the crocked James Ryan. Brings leadership, physicality, aerial presence and strong carry.
LOCK
Brodie Retallick (ALL BLACKS)
6.5/10
Still a mighty presence around field, at set piece and in tight stuff. Not the player once was, but not a million miles off it.
4 Tadhg Berne (IRELAND)
7/10
Another world-class figure in this Irish pack. Loves the tight stuff, is a terrier at the breakdown and doesn’t mind a carry or two.
TIGHTHEAD PROP
Tyrel Lomax (ALL BLACKS)
6/10
Injury has limited appearances and may blunt impact here. At best a solid set-piece guy with carry ability. Has refreshed position since last year.
Tadhg Furlong (IRELAND)
6/10
The big unit up front hasn’t been at his best scrummaging this tournament. But a class operator nonetheless.
HOOKER
Codie Taylor (ALL BLACKS)
6.5/10
Not captured heights of his peak, and may be required to here. Experienced head, loves a drive and seems to have fixed his lineout throwing.
Andrew Sheehan (IRELAND)
6.5/10
Returned from injury off bench v SA and outstanding in first start against Scotland. Hits his lineouts, carries well and is mobile.
LOOSEHEAD PROP
Ethan de Groot (ALL BLACKS)
6/10
Not had the best of campaigns with 2-game suspension for high hit versus Namibia, and penalties conceded against France. Strong scrummager and capable of much better.
Andrew Porter (IRELAND)
7/10
Has had excellent World Cup. Outstanding technician, tough as nails and unbudgeable at scrum. As good as any in the game up front.
Forwards total: All Blacks 54/80, Ireland 56/80.
Advantage: Ireland.
BACKS
HALFBACK
Aaron Smith (ALL BLACKS)
7/10
Rocket passes and organisational skills are the test centurion's major assets. Could snipe around ruck edges more often.
Jamison Gibson-Park (IRELAND)
6.5/10
Has proved to be a valuable piece in the Irish jigsaw. Dependable and tough.
FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH
Richie Mo'unga (ALL BLACKS)
6.5/10
A massive talent, consistency in crunch games is key. Ireland will test his mettle.
Johnny Sexton (IRELAND)
8.5/10
Reads the game brilliantly, a flagbearer for the green machine. Not always flawless, but a true leader.
LEFT WING
Leicester Fainga'anuku (ALL BLACKS)
7/10
Combines power and determination with his carries. Looks for work, not a statue on the edges.
James Lowe (IRELAND)
7/10
Make things happen when close to the tryline. Possesses a big boot, which is an added bonus.
SECOND FIVE-EIGHTH
Jordie Barrett (ALL BLACKS)
7/10
Mr Versatile must now be Mr Dependable. Highly skilled. Has the physical attributes to crush opponents with his tackles.
Bundee Aki (IRELAND)
9/10
Playing out of his skin. The perfect midfield menace. Big, strong and always gets over the advantage line.
CENTRE
Rieko Ioane (ALL BLACKS)
7/10
Work off the ball is valuable, and super-quick. Defensive reads are sound.
Garry Ringrose (IRELAND)
7/10
Has created a solid midfield partnership with Aki, and distribution is sound. The All Blacks may want to test his reads on defence.
RIGHT WING
Will Jordan (ALL BLACKS)
7.5/10
Can expose opponents with a kick-and-chase or running from broken play. Brave when chasing high balls, but must be disciplined in the air.
Mack Hansen (IRELAND)
6.5/10
Comes across as a larrakin Aussie, but communicates well and good with the ball in hand.
FULLBACK
Beauden Barrett (ALL BLACKS)
6.5/10
Reads play well and cross-kicking is vital to the game plan. Form has fluctuated.
Hugo Keenan (IRELAND)
6.5/10
Tough, willing to compete in the air. The 'Fox' is a cunning operator. To kick down his throat is to invite trouble.
Backs total: All Blacks 48.5/70, Ireland 51/70
