Brian O'Driscoll: 'There's nothing to fear in a New Zealand team anymore'

Ireland get a much needed two-week break before their final pool game against Scotland

RESPECT: Munster teammates Peter O'Mahony and RG Snyman at the Stade de France.

Ireland look odds on now to top their Rugby World Cup pool and probably face New Zealand in a tournament quarter-final. And, believes former Irish captain Brian O'Driscoll, the men in green have nothing to fear from the legendary All Blacks.

Speaking on ITV in the wake of Ireland's monumental 13-8 victory over South Africa on Saturday night, O'Driscoll reckoned: "There's nothing to fear in a New Zealand team anymore. This isn't the best New Zealand team, however, that doesn't mean that it's a foregone conclusion, far from it — this is still New Zealand."

He continued: "They're still a very smart rugby team. They're able to pick holes. Their intellect will probably be able to cause Ireland more issues than the physicality of South Africa, which is a strange thing to say, but I would still be nervous about the prospect of taking on any All-Blacks team.

"We'll lose the run of ourselves in Ireland, of course. Everyone at home thinks we're getting into a semi-final or a final, but this New Zealand team will have a lot to say before that."