NZ rugby "expert" picking an Irish Quarter-Final victory over All Blacks

A top New Zealand pundit is picking Ireland to beat the All Blacks in the World Cup quarterfinal, although there is a catch.

Gareth Dinneen from 1014 Rugby – whose analysis features on Spark Sport's World Cup coverage – came to New Zealand from Ireland nearly 20 years ago. His broadcaster dad Len was known as Ireland's 'Voice of Rugby'.

Gareth Dinneen believes the influence of Ireland's defensive coach Andy Farrell will make the big difference in the Tokyo clash, and that for Ireland this is their final.

Here is the quarterfinal analysis from Dinneen and as he told it to the Radio Sport Breakfast.

"The biggest game in Irish rugby history. Johnny Sexton is saying this is the biggest game of his career.

They've never got past the quarterfinal of a World Cup. The IRFU tasked Joe Schmidt in writing to get into the semifinal. Not win the Six Nations or anything else.

Two opposite teams…maybe one of the best defensive teams in the world against THE best attacking team in the world.

New Zealand like to play with a lot of width. Ireland do not like to get outside the 15m lines in attack or defence.

You'll see the Ireland defence give a massive amount of space outside the 15 metre lines, offering it to New Zealand. Ireland will challenge New Zealand to get it out there with their line speed.

Remember Andy Farrell, the Ireland defence coach, has beaten New Zealand for the Lions, England and twice with Ireland. Ian Foster was asked about him at a press conference and he gave a bit of a prickly answer – he didn't seem to like it.

I'm very emotional about this. I've got two kids and one will be shouting for New Zealand and the other for Ireland. I can't predict with anything else than my heart – Ireland are going to win this one."

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission