The Guinness PRO14 takes a well-earned break this weekend after three breathless rounds of action. Instead, all eyes will be trained on Japan as eight teams battle it out in the World Cup quarter-finals, with each game throwing up tantalising match-ups. Can Ireland beat New Zealand on a third different continent in three years? Will Wales extend their winning run against France? Does Japan’s magical run end at the hands of the Springboks? There is so much to look forward to, so let’s break down the big questions. ARE IRELAND THE TEAM TO END NEW ZEALAND’S REIGN? The last time New Zealand lost a match at the Rugby World Cup, Joe Schmidt was in his first season as backs coach at Clermont Auvergne, Jordan Larmour was just ten years old and even Johnny Sexton was two years away from a Test debut. Suffice to say, this run of All Black dominance is on a historic scale we have not previously seen. And yet, Ireland recorded a first-ever win over New Zealand in Chicago in 2016, and just for good measure they followed it up in Dublin last November. The mental barrier that might previously have existed against the All Blacks has been well and truly broken down. Still, 2019 has been harder for Ireland. Two heavy defeats to England, one in the Guinness Six Nations, one in a World Cup warm-up, not to mention that loss to Japan. They go into their quarter-final as underdogs against Steve Hansen’s team, hoping to rediscover the form that saw them stifle New Zealand a year ago. That win was built on incredible defence. The All Blacks have been held tryless just four times in the last decade – two draws against Australia, that defeat in Dublin and a loss to the Lions in 2017. It is no coincidence that the two losses came against Andy Farrell-led defences. The All Blacks look very different this time with the Richie Mo’unga-Beauden Barrett double act, but you can be sure that Farrell has a plan. If it works, Ireland might just pull off another upset. WILL WALES KEEP ON ROLLING? A perfect four from four in the pool stages and Wales are now on a run of 18 successive victories in competitive matches. They have won seven of their last eight against France, their quarter-final opponents, and will fancy their chances of making that 19. In Warren Gatland’s swansong in charge, just like in blackjack, the aim of the game is 21. To do that, they will look to tighten up their defence. On a strictly points per game basis, Wales have the worst defence of the quarter-finalists. Granted, playing Australia and Fiji in their pool makes that stat slightly misleading, but it is still surprising when Shaun Edwards is the man in charge of the Welsh defence.
