Heartbreak for Ireland as All Blacks show their class, as it happened
BUNDEEEEE: Ireland's Bundee Aki and New Zealand's Rieko Ioane and Aaron Smith. Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Thanks very much for your company. The World Cup is over for Ireland unfortunately but it's not over as a whole so don't forget you can keep up to date with all the news and discussions from France with our Rugby World Cup hub. It will include all the reaction following this heartbreaking loss of Ireland.
Ireland pressing forward. 23 phases.
The All Blacks are using all their experience here, managing the final moments very well.
New Zealand back to 15 men for the final few minutes. Ireland need a try.
Ireland almost get a try but they are just held up. Sensational defending from the All Blacks and Barrett in particular.
Ireland give away yet another penalty. Barrett doesn't miss this time.
Ireland give away a penalty and Barrett pulls it wide.
So how is everybody getting on?
Blow for Ireland as Mack Hansen is forced off with another injury to his calf and he is replaced by Jimmy O'Brien.
Brilliant from the All Blacks and Will Jordan goes down in the corner, lethal pace. Conversion from Barrett is also superb.
Ireland looked to be making serious headway but New Zealand get back in their numbers and reclaim possession.Â
Smith leaves the sinbin so we are back to 15 v 15.
Peter O'Mahony nearly catches a kick to the corner but he just can't get both hands on it.
On ITV former Irish skipper Brian O'Driscoll reckons the yellow card for All Blacks number 9 Aaron Smith was a tad harsh as there was cover but Wayne Barnes thought otherwise. Ireland will have the extra man for the opening five mins of second period.
Time to take a breather. Itâs the perfect time to read Paul Rouseâs interesting piece on how a Donegal man was essential to establishing rugby as New Zealandâs national sport.
The pressure tells, the brave decision to go for the corner rather than the penalty pays off thanks to Gibson-Park.
Another penalty for Ireland, another Sexton kick to the corner.
New Zealand down to 14 as Smith is shown a yellow card. Ireland go for the corner, going for the try before half time.
Great pressure from New Zealand and Savea finishes in the corner. They miss the conversion though.
đđđđđđ!!! đą
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 14, 2023
What a moment for the New Zealand-born Irish star!
Game on in Paris! #IREvNZL | #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/D87bKFkFVG
Ireland force a big turnover, great tackle as well by Gibson-Park.
What a try by Aki, who bursts his way through the New Zealand defence and powers his way across the line.
Sexton finally opens Ireland's account on the night, hopefully it will settle a few nerves amongst the Irish squad.
21 mins the All Blacks add the conversion.
20 mins Leicester Fainga'anuku finishes a quick passing move following Barrtt's brilliant show of ingenuity.
Ireland lose possession close to the Kiwi line but they have a line-out in a decent area on the pitch. They attack once more but then give away a penalty. Nervy start for the Irish.
Ireland penalty but Sexton kicks it into the corner, they're going for it!
Opening points from Richie Moâunga after 28 phases of NZ pressure. Bit harsh on Tadhg Berne maybe?
New Zealand given a penalty but opt to push on for the try initially. Kick goes long so play is brought back.
 Ireland currently forced to withstand some early All Blacks pressure.
Our very own Fiona Halligan is in Paris as a fan and here is how the atmosphere sounded just before kick-off.
Here we go, New Zealand line up for their famous Haka. Ireland fans singing Fields of Athenry over it and the players set up in the figure of eight to honour the memory of Anthony Foley just as they did when the beat the All Blacks for first time in 2016.
Now it's New Zealand's turn.
Time for the anthems, starting with Ireland and everyone's favourite; 'Ireland's call'.
The team are on their way out to the pitch.
Joe Molloy says on Virgin Media Sport that the last time Ireland even led in a World Cup quarter-final was in 1995. Wow.
Interesting stat as always from Opta
66% - @IrishRugbyâs Bundee Aki has made more carries (61) and carried for more metres (567) than any other player in the 2023 @RugbyWorldCup â Aki also tops the charts for defenders beaten (23) and sits joint-second for line breaks (9). Ace.
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) October 14, 2023
Read more đœhttps://t.co/LW2nFaXVR3
Anyone else really hoping Ireland respond to the Haka with the Riverdance?
 Our rugby analyst Donal Lenihan on the three big factors heading into this mouth-watering quarter-final.
Here's one last plug for Ronan O'Gara's pre-game column.
Virgin Media have the exclusive rights to tonight's big game. Will it be the most-watched programme in the country this year? Chances are it will. If Ireland reach the semi-final against Argentina, RTE will show the game.
Tony Leen crunches some viewing numbers and chats to the respective heads of sport.
Here's a reminder of the Ireland and New Zealand teams:
Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Johnny Sexton (captain), Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Tadhg Beirne, Iain Henderson; Peter OâMahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.
Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Jimmy OâBrien.
Beauden Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Leicester Faingaâanuku; Richie Moâunga, Aaron Smith; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax; Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett; Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane (captain), Ardie Savea.
Some pre-match reading to get you in the mood. In case you're not in the mood already for some reason.
Reasons for Ireland to be cheerful ahead of All Blacks blockbuster (...and fearful)
Andy Farrell in good spirits speaking to Virgin Media before the match in Paris
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"We've earned the right to be here. Let's give it a good crack and see what we can do."
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 14, 2023
Andy Farrell speaking to @TommyMartinVM pre-match at the Stade de France!#IREvNZL | #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/T51rwwwr0D
We're less than an hour away from the big one: Ireland vs New Zeland at the Stade de France in Paris.
Welcome all to our live blog for the small matter of Ireland's World Cup quarter final against New Zealand.
It's the Boys in Green v the All Blacks, the Irish v the Kiwis, two of the best teams in the world going head-to-head in Paris. It doesn't get much bigger than this.
Just so you don't miss any of the action from what could be a historic night for Ireland, we will be going minute-by-minute throughout the evening with additional updates from our staff in Saint-Denis.
In the meantime, make sure you catch up on some of our quality coverage this week, like Ronan O'Gara's pre-game column.
Did you hear our Ireland v New Zealand preview? Hear the thoughts of New Zealand broadcaster and sportswriter Scotty Stevenson as he joins the Irish Examiner's Simon Lewis and Brendan O'Brien.
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