Rugby World Cup 2019: 'Laborious' Ireland no match for All Blacks - Justin Marshall

Ireland will have to overcome 32 years of playoff disappointment if they're to upset the All Blacks in Saturday's Rugby World Cup quarter final in Tokyo.

The Irish have never won a knockout game, while the All Blacks have been semi finalist or better in seven out of eight tournaments and one leading commentator's written off the Irish already.

Kiwi Joe Schmidt's overseen the most successful period in Ireland's rugby history - Grand Slam winners, world No.1 and two historic victories over the All Blacks.

The only black mark is at the World Cup - six defeats from six quarter-finals.

Justin Marshall's adamant that will become seven on Saturday.

"I'm not convinced they're as good a side as they have been in the past," Marshall told Newshub.

"They've got a little laborious in the way they've been attacking. They're predictable.

"The All Blacks will be up for it and I think we could actually see them put some points on them and win quite comfortably."

The former All Blacks halfback gives the men in green no chance of breaking their playoff drought.

"World Cups are about making sure when there are opportunities you grab that moment… and Ireland, historically, have not done that."

Ireland can't hide from their World Cup record and recent successes over the All Blacks are giving them no comfort.

"It's going to be a different kettle of fish at a World Cup," said Ireland's Cian Healy. "They've gone the whole way a couple of times, and we haven't. So it's a huge challenge for us."

Veteran Healy's twice experienced World Cup heartbreak - in 2011 and in Cardiff four years ago. He's called Saturday the biggest game of his 94-test career.

Rugby World Cup 2019: 'Laborious' Ireland no match for All Blacks - Justin Marshall

"It's a do or die game, so I think everyone understands that  the position we're in and the opportunity

In contrast, the All Blacks have become knockout experts. Of the eight World Cups, only once have they failed to reach the semi finals.

"It's important that we don't look back," said NZ hooker Dane Coles. "World Cups are different."

Ireland's hoping this time will be different too.

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