Ireland's restored belief can withstand sternest test

The moment of truth has arrived. Today has been a long time coming for Joe Schmidt and his players as they finally reach the objective they have been planning for since the World Cup draw put them in New Zealand’s firing line.

Of course, it could have been, should have been South Africa they were facing this weekend as the World Cup moves into the knockout stages. But that loss to Japan during the pool stages meant Schmidt’s side were no longer in control of their own destiny. So bring on the All Blacks in the second of today’s quarter-finals and let’s go at it one more time in a rivalry that has become more equitable over the past few years of Schmidt’s watch as head coach.