It's a week until the All Blacks play the much-anticipated quarter finals, but tomorrow morning's Ireland/France match will set the stage for it.
The teams face off in their final pool match, and the real prize for winning will be avoiding the All Blacks in the quarters.
But who is a better opponent for the All Blacks?
The Irish and the French have had fairly easy matches so far, but when they meet at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff tomorrow it will most likely be anything but. It's one of the most-anticipated clashes in pool play and for the winners there is a special prize. But Irish captain Paul O'Connell is not thinking about avoiding New Zealand in the quarter final.
"I think the match is too close to think of anything beyond that," he says.
"Really I just want the team to focus on this game, to want to improve," says French captain Thierry Dusautoir.
Ireland haven't lost to France in four years. But France are rugby's Jekyll and Hyde team, often pulling out the required intensity just when it's needed.
"If I were a bookmaker, I would not bet on the French team," says Dusautoir. "But I am a player and I think we can change things tomorrow on the pitch."
France have reached the semi-finals in six of the previous seven World Cups. The only other team to achieve that record is New Zealand. Ireland has reached the quarter finals five times and lost every one.
"The next 24 hours for us is a tough time because the doubt's there and the fear's there," says O'Connell.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says for the All Blacks, there is no preferential opponent.
"There's no advantage in playing one or the other. They're very good teams and we'll just deal with what's put in front of us and train accordingly and get excited about it."
Former players know the danger of the French.
"On their day and when they come up against the All Blacks, they always produce something special," says former All Black Carlos Spencer.
But some fans say bring it on.
The All Blacks have been dealt a blow, with a hamstring injury bringing Tony Woodcock's career to an early end, but Canterbury prop Joe Moody is en route to replace him.
"Pretty gutting for him that he can't continue, but at the same time I'm excited to be going over and taking his place, so I've got to do as best as I can," says Moody.
The rugby omens are on his side. Moody is replacing the man who scored the only try for the All Blacks in the last World Cup final. He's coming into the squad during the tournament, just like that other cup final hero, Stephen "Beaver" Donald – no pressure though, Joe.
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