'Something special' from All Blacks after years of adversity

New Zealand's dramatic Rugby World Cup quarter-final win over Ireland was founded on four years of hurt, a former All Black said.

The three-time champions were hailed for their defense in Paris after resisting waves of Irish attacks in the closing stages.

Many pundits had forecast victory for the top-ranked Irish, who recorded a historic series win on New Zealand soil last year - part of a series of lows for the All Blacks since Ian Foster became head coach in 2019. Foster and captain Sam Cane absorbed plenty of criticism after poor results dropped them to fourth in the world.

But former greats Mils Muliaina and John Kirwan said Cane and Foster deserved praise for the fighting nature of the victory.

"All the adversity and hurt," Muliaina said. "You've got to go through some of that to perform the way they did.

"For Sam Cane and Ian Foster, they've been through hard times and they've turned that around into something special."

After winning the World Cup in 2011 and 2015, the All Blacks have been smarting since losing to England in the semi-finals of the 2019 tournament in Japan.

Kirwan described Cane's display as "epic," noting how the injury-plagued flanker led from the front when New Zealand were twice reduced to 14 men by yellow cards. "Ireland were outstanding right to the death, but even with the yellow cards our guys stayed disciplined," he said. "This team's come together, they're peaking at the right time and they showed incredible courage."

Cane said contrary to reports of a turbulent buildup to the game, with the outstanding wing Mark Telea dropped for breaching protocols, "we had an awesome week's prep."

Ireland have now lost all eight of the quarter-finals they have played.

In the semi-finals the All Blacks will face Argentina, who made Wales pay for ill-discipline in a 29-17 win in Marseille.

"We had opportunities to win the game," Wales coach Warren Gatland said. "It's one that slipped away from us."