The second quarter-final between New Zealand and Ireland was one of the most skillful and intense matches I have ever seen (and I've been watching rugby basically all my life). It was a shame they had to play each other so early due to a lop-sided draw - as the match was worthy of a final and could easily have been won by either side.
Of the two remaining quarter-finals the one to watch will be between South Africa versus France. Similar to the NZ v Ireland game, France and South Africa are two of the top four sides in the world at the moment. France are the hosts and have a golden generation of players at the moment, none better than Antoine Dupont - the French captain and the consensus best player in the world. Dupont has been rushed back into the side after fracturing his cheekbone just under a month ago in the pool stages - which is a risk but he is considered vital to France's chances of winning.
Both sides have big, powerful forward packs and skillful backs. The South Africans particularly relish the physical battle. They love to dominate and bully their opposition in contact, and play an extremely aggressive rush defence to disrupt and smother the team on offence. France play a very astute kicking game, led by their captain Dupont, and are also masters of the counter-attack - being able to score from anywhere on the field.
It's likely that this contest won't be as free-flowing and fast as the NZ v Ireland game, but I imagine the physicality and intensity will be next-level - particularly in front of 80,000 screaming Frenchmen at the Stade de France.
Definitely worth a watch.
