While Ireland have never progressed beyond the World Cup quarter-finals – losing all eight they have contested – the All Blacks are three-times champions.
France had been seeking a maiden World Cup triumph, buoyed by the support of a host nation.
Their opponents South Africa have also won the trophy three times, most recently four years ago in Japan.
Stuff like that happens, they’ve been there before, they’ve been at a World Cup before and they’ve found solutions during the game."
With 2003 champions England also in the semi-finals, only Argentina could break the hegemony this time around and it seems the proven powerhouses will prevail at the Rugby World Cup once again.
Persons:
France’s, Fabien Galthie, Naivety, Jacques Nienaber, they’ve, Handre Pollard, Faf, Klerk, Ed Osmond
Organizations:
France, Blacks, Springbok, Springboks, England, Rugby, Thomson
Locations:
Paris, Ireland, France, Africa, Japan, South Africa, Argentina