Ireland believe they can break quarter-final curse against All Blacks

The upcoming Rugby World Cup quarterfinal between Ireland and the All Blacks is the stuff of fairytales. It’s a dream matchup for two teams with genuine ambitions of hoisting the Webb Ellis Cup in triumph later this month.

Ireland are the world’s top-ranked side, and they’re more than deserving of that moniker on the back of their incredible 17 Test unbeaten streak, but they’ll need to create history to progress any further in this competition.

In the nine World Cups, Ireland have made it to the quarterfinals on seven occasions, but they’ve failed to make it through to the final four each and every time.

But there’s something different about this Ireland team. Spurred on by the thousands of travelling fans in green, the current crop of players are full of belief ahead of a blockbuster quarterfinal.

“We have worked on our mental game for the last four years and put ourselves in different scenarios to prepare for this,” captain Johnny Sexton said.

“Each quarter-final, or where we haven’t got through our pool, have all been different, and it’s a different group again. Each of those groups lost once. It wasn’t the same group losing quarter-finals year after year.

“If it was club rugby it might be different but I don’t think we are carrying much baggage. It is a one-off game and we have got to prepare for now.”

Standing in their way are the All Blacks - a team who know a thing or two about winning World Cups. With the likes of Aaron Smith and two-time champion Sam Whitelock in their ranks, this team has winning experience on the biggest stage.

But both of those legends, as well as some others, will don the black jersey for the final time on Saturday if New Zealand fail to deliver at Stade de France.

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton said winning the World Cup is what “you dream of” as a player, but the prospect of knocking the All Blacks out wouldn’t bring about any “personal” satisfaction.

“I haven’t thought once about personally what the game means. It’s all about the team, it’s nothing personal,” Sexton mentioned.

“I’ve had some great battles against New Zealand over the years, with Ireland and the Lions.  What you learn is every game is as tough as the last. That’s what we’re preparing for, the toughest game we have ever faced, and we are trying to put ourselves in the frame of mind that we are going to be ready for it.”