All Blacks beat Ireland to make World Cup semi-finals

The All Blacks have comfortably beaten Ireland in the quarter-finals for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

New Zealand were scintillating as the ran away with the victory 46-14 in Tokyo.

Two tries from Aaron Smith and one by Beauden Barrett helped the All Blacks to a 22-0 lead at half-time.

The holders scored further tries through Codie Taylor, Matt Todd, George Bridge and Jordie Barrett.

A Robbie Henshaw try and a late penalty try, did nothing to recover what was a disappointing night for Ireland.

The result was Ireland’s second defeat in the tournament after their 19-12 Pool A loss to hosts Japan.

The All Blacks will move into the semi-finals and now face England who easily beat Australia.

Match stats

• New Zealand have won 29 of their 32 meetings with Ireland in Test rugby (D1, L2), including both of their matches at the World Cup (43-19 in 1995).
• Ireland have lost all seven of their World Cup quarter-finals, never making it past this round, No side has endured as many losses at this stage.
• New Zealand scored seven or more tries in a World Cup knockout match for the third time in their history (eight v Wales in 1987, nine v France in 2015). No other side has scored more than six tries in a match beyond the pool stage of the tournament.

The teams

New Zealand: B Barrett; Reece, Goodhue, Lienert-Brown, Bridge; Mo’unga, Smith; Moody, Taylor, Laulala, Retallick, Whitelock; Savea, Cane, Reid.

Replacements: Coles, Tuungafasi, Ta’avao, S Barrett, Todd, Perenara, Williams, J Barrett.

Ireland: Kearney; Earls, Ringrose, Henshaw, Stockdale; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best, Furlong, Henderson, James Ryan, O’Mahony; Van der Flier, Stander.