New Zealand sent out an emphatic message that they will not relinquish their World Cup title lightly as they outclassed Ireland 46-14 in their last eight-clash on Saturday.
The three-times champions ran in seven tries and had effectively secured victory by halftime to set up a semifinal clash against England.
After a tight opening 10 minutes the New Zealanders, dominating possession and territory and playing fluent, varied rugby at high pace, took complete control with quicksilver scrumhalf Aaron Smith leading the way with the first two tries.
After his first five-pointer in the 14th minute following a sustained build-up, the All Blacks seized on two Johnny Sexton errors to put the game beyond doubt.
DOUBLE DELIGHT: Aaron Smith, centre, scored a brace of tries. Picture: Mark Baker/AP.
The Irish flyhalf failed to find touch for an attacking lineout, with his opposite number Richie Mo’unga brilliantly keeping the ball in play and the All Blacks then broke into Ireland’s half with Smith grabbing his second from close range three minutes later.
Sexton then dropped the ball on halfway in a tackle and Mo’unga kicked it ahead with Beauden Barrett winning the race to give the All Blacks a 22-0 halftime lead.
POWER PLAY: NZ yster Retallick. Picture: Franck Robertson/EPA.
The All Blacks kept their foot on the gas in the second half, pinning Ireland inside their own territory and controlling possession with hooker Codie Taylor, replacement flanker Matt Todd, winger George Bridge and replacement Jordie Barrett also crossing.
With just over 10 minutes to go, centre Robbie Henshaw gave Ireland a face-saving try after he had squandered an even better chance earlier while referee Nigel Owens also awarded them a penalty try and sin-binned Todd for a professional foul.
The win silenced a vocal Ireland crowd, with All Blacks coach Steve Hansen saying: “The Irish are some of the best travellers in the world.
“They don’t mind going anywhere for a party and they enjoy it.
“It was sort of like a home match feeling, like playing them in Dublin.
“Kiwis are not quite so boisterous even if we don’t mind a party.
“If you do things right, you can control the crowd. “If you let them in, the crowd becomes part of the problem.”