The All Blacks from New Zealand stormed into the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup in France after a memorable top duel against the strong Ireland.
The three-time title holder defeated the world number one on Saturday in the round of the last eight after a dramatic final phase in the atmospheric Stade de France with 28:24 (18:17).
New Zealand, which is in the semi-finals of a World Cup for the ninth time, will play against Argentina on October 20th for a place in the final.
The curse of the Irish, however, continues. No team from the Emerald Isle has ever reached the semi-finals and has finished in the quarter-finals eight times in ten tournaments. This also ends the successful career of Ireland’s record scorer Johnny Sexton, who announced that he would retire after the World Cup.
The All Blacks virtually overran their opponents in the early stages. After a quick 13-0 lead, the Irish, who had previously won 17 games in a row, came back before halftime.
Things remained close until the final phase, and a yellow card against New Zealand brought additional tension to the encounter. But even when outnumbered, New Zealand withstood the furious attacks of the Irish.
Argentina beat Wales 29:17 (6:10) in a hard-fought game earlier in the evening. The Los Pumas reached the semi-finals of a World Cup for the third time in Marseille in front of Prince William, patron of the Welsh Rugby Union.