3 Oct 2011

Cup quarter-finalists found

1:43 pm on 3 October 2011

The Rugby World Cup quarter-finalists have been decided and the competition is divided neatly between the hemispheres with Ireland playing Wales in Wellington on Saturday followed by England versus France in Auckland. On the following day, South Africa play Australia in Wellington, and the All Blacks meet Argentina in Auckland.

In the final pool match last night Ireland surged irresistibly to a 36-6 win over Italy to seal top spot in pool C, having lost all four of their warmup matches.

Italy's coach Nick Mallett says Ireland are a side without any weaknesses who are capable of knocking over any side in their half of the draw, and he's backing them to go all the way to the final.

In the other three games Sunday, Wales overran Fiji 66-0 in Hamilton, Argentina ran in two late tries to beat plucky Georgia 25-7, and the All Blacks overwhelmed Canada 79-15 with Zac Guildford touching down four times.