Seven-try All Blacks crush Ireland to set up England semi-final clash
Aaron Smith’s two tries drove the merciless New Zealand a step closer to an unprecedented third-straight World Cup title with a 46-14 quarter-final victory over Ireland.
Beauden Barrett, Codie Taylor, Matt Todd, George Bridge and Jordie Barrett all bagged scores too as the relentless All Blacks booked a semi-final showdown with Eddie Jones’ England in Yokohama on Saturday, October 26.
Back-to-back champions New Zealand have not tasted World Cup defeat for 4,397 days, since their 20-18 last-eight loss to France in 2007.
FT at #RWCTokyo
An exceptional performance from the @AllBlacks with 7 tries against @IrishRugby
We have our first Semi-Final confirmed:@EnglandRugby 🏴 v @AllBlacks 🇳🇿#RWC2019#NZLvIREpic.twitter.com/0SnJ9VNy61
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 19, 2019
Now only two more victories stand between head coach Steven Hansen’s men and a third global crown in a row.
Error-strewn Ireland were left to count the cost of a seventh quarter-final defeat in nine World Cup tournaments, a Robbie Henshaw score and a penalty try offered scant consolation.
