Tokyo (AFP)

The answer of the champion. The All Blacks, doubles title holders and N.1 world, have posted their ambitions by correcting Ireland (46-14), Saturday in Tokyo, to afford a dream semifinal against England, their rival the most ambitious.

The English, huge in defense and realistic in attack, defeated Australia (40-16) in the other quarterfinal, a little earlier in Oita. This final before the hour between arch-favorites and one of the main underdogs will take place in a week in Yokohama.

In search of a third world crown of rank, the All Blacks have scored seven tries, including two for the only Aaron Smith (14th, 20th), to silence the sublime Irish fans, come en masse to support their team in Japan.

Because the enthusiasm of the men in green was simply insufficient to stop the black steamroller who fell on the Irish, returned to the break with 22 points behind and nothing to show for their defense.

With twenty-nine total draws missed, the Irish seemed to have forgotten the defensive principles put in place by the coach Joe Schmidt them who have foiled their opponents for more than a year.

The traditional strengths of the Irish, aggressiveness around the rucks, play foot, touch skill, group-penetrating or under high balloons, are simply gone. The fault of All Blacks XXL, worn by an impressive Sam Cane and a Beauden Barrett more and more comfortable in the back and author of his 35th international test (32nd).

Hooker and captain Rory Best would have probably preferred another outing for his last under the Irish jersey. Like coach Joe Schmidt, also on the start.

- Favorites to their own estate -

Above all, the New Zealanders silenced the uncertainty around their true level: after a first round swallowed without blinking, with three wins in front of South Africa (23-13), Canada (63-0) and Namibia (71-9), then a canceled match against Italy, Steve Hansen's men had finally not had a real test for nearly a month.

They rose to the challenge with a team that had beaten them twice in three games (victories 40-29 in 2016 and 16-9 in 2018, defeated 21-9 in 2016) and that the observers announced capable of to thwart the New Zealand machine.

However, the curse continues for the XV Clover who fails for the seventh time in his history at this stage of the competition, the third rank. Incidentally, the Irish were victims of the bankruptcy of their executives, the opener Jonathan Sexton in mind.

After Australia in 1987 and 1991, France in 1995 and 2003, Wales in 2011 and Argentina in 2015, it is the All Blacks that put an end to the Irish dream.

The New Zealanders left crumbs to their opponents in the evening, on the night of Tokyo, including two trials center Robbie Henshaw (69th) and another penalty (76th). It is very little ...

Aggressive in defense, ruthless in attack, the All Blacks are there, insatiable. England is prevented.

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