All Blacks

 Their grandfather, Ted, died last week aged 78 and Beauden said the quarter-final week had been "tough" but the team had rallied behind them.

All three stayed and helped the All Blacks to a 46-14 victory with their father Kevin, who was nicknamed 'Smiley' during his playing days, watching in the stands.

"Last week was a tough week for dad and for ourselves so it was awesome to share that moment with him," fullback Beauden told reporters after being named in the team to face England in the semi-final tomorrow.

Barrett's extra size would be key to counter the size and strenght of the England pack.

RNZ understands that Barrett will take the number six jersey, with Ardie Savea moving to the openside and Sam Cane dropping to the bench.

Scott Barrett came on at half time of the All Black's quarter-final win over Ireland and Sam Cane left the field at the same time.

Cane would replace the injured Matt Todd on the bench, while Patrick Tuipolotu is set to come into the reserves as lock cover.

New Zealand will face England in an expected evenly contested semi-final in Yokohama on Saturday, with neither side red-hot favourites for a place in the Nov. 2 final.

Under tournament rules if a knockout match is locked at full time, the sides will play two 10-minute periods of extra time.

If they are still deadlocked a further sudden-death period of 10 minutes will be played where the first points scorers win.

After that, five players from each team will take shots at goal from pre-determined positions on the field before it then goes to sudden death.

Curry and Underhill, who England coach Eddie Jones has dubbed "The Kamikaze Kids", have been standouts in England's strong forward pack at the World Cup.

They got the better of Michael Hooper and the world class David Pocock in their quarter-final in Oita on Saturday to advance to the semi-finals for the first time in 12 years and face the All Blacks in Yokohama.

"Underhill and Curry have been pretty impressive," Cane said. "They've both got a huge appetite for hard work and have very good skill sets. They have been really impressive."

Up against a side who they had lost two of their past three matches against, New Zealand produced a statement-making performance.

They ran in three first-half tries to hold an imposing 22-0 lead at halftime, before adding four more in the second to book their semifinal berth.

The All Blacks will face England at Yokohama next Saturday for a place in a third consecutive World Cup final.

Ireland, meanwhile, head home having extended their streak of having never won a knockout match in World Cup history.

The 46-year-old pundit – who won 81 caps for the All Blacks – slammed Ireland’s playing style and tipped his countrymen to put a big score on Joe Schmidt’s side.

Talking to News hub, Marshall explained: “I’m not convinced they’re as good a side as they have been in the past.”

“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 in-form Anton Lienert-Brown and Jack Goodhue will partner in the midfield in an otherwise experienced All Blacks line up.

Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Nepo Laulala make up the front row, Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock are the starting locks, while Ardie Savea, Sam Cane and Kieran Read are the loose forward trio.

Aaron Smith has been named the starting halfback, Richie Mo'unga at first five, George Bridge and Sevu Reece are on the wings and Beauden Barrett is at fullback.

Tournament hosts Japan qualified for the knockout stages for the first time in their history, Sunday's hard-fought victory over Scotland also seeing them finish top of Pool A.

The 28-21 result means the Brave Blossoms next face South Africa, who were second in Pool B, rather than New Zealand, with the two-time reigning champions instead going up against Ireland. 

Pleased to avoid one of the in-form teams still left standing, Hansen praised the way Japan's players had lifted their nation after the devastation caused by Typhoon Hagibis.

The All Blacks will face Ireland on Saturday night in Tokyo for a place in the semifinals.

Read said knockout rugby is the ultimate leveller and while some teams are in better form than others, that won't necessarily mean those teams will win this weekend.

The teams that will progress to the final four will be the one's who're mentally strong and handle the pressure best during crucial moments in the quarterfinals.

"The eight teams are capable of winning the Cup physically.

The Barretts confirmed in a funeral notice today that Edward Michael Barrett died at Taranaki Base Hospital where it is said he was surrounded by his wife Mary and family.

"Dearly loved and cherished husband of Mary for 57 years,'' the notice read.

"Loving father...and adored 'Granddad Ted' of all his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren.''

It comes as the All Blacks prepare for their Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Ireland, which takes place this Saturday.