The All Blacks will be targeting the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup in France when they go head-to-head with Uruguay in Lyon tomorrow night in Pool A.

A win for the three-time champions against the Los Teros will virtually assure them of a place in the quarter-finals, where they could face the Springboks, Ireland or Scotland.

First the All Blacks need to win, but judging by their 94-17 thrashing of Italy on the weekend, they should have no trouble in breezing past the spirited and entertaining South Americans.

Sam Cane - RWC

For the All Black captain, Sam Cane, the game will be an important one as he will be making his return to the field.

“I am very ready. I am very excited. It's been a little bit of a road bump for me personally, this start of the World Cup.

“I spoke the day after the Italy game about how it had been a little bit frustrating but I'm really excited and grateful to be back.

“I'm looking forward to training this arvo to test things out under a bit of heat, a bit of pressure from the boys. And then I'll feel a lot more confident heading into the game."

“The squad, as a whole, is in good shape physically.

“I feel like we've made good progress in some key areas of our game following the Bordeaux week when we got to put in a lot of work and it was pleasing to see those shine through in the game against Italy. 

“The challenge for us is to back that up and keep strengthening those key areas and put out another good performance which could put us in a good spot going forwards.”

This match at the OL Stadium will kick-off on Thursday night at 21:00. The following evening France will tackle the Azzurri at the same venue in the last Pool A game of the World Cup.

Meanwhile, over in Paris the world’s top-ranked team, Ireland are gearing to tackle their fellow home nations team, Scotland, in what should be a cracking Pool B fixture.

Both teams are vying for a spot in the knockout rounds, and depending on the results both could advance and it will be the Springboks that will be boarding a flight back to Johannesburg.

Ireland themselves could be knocked, but the reality is that the Scots are the ones that will head into the match with little to lose and a lot to gain.

Dan Sheehan - NPHO/Dave Winter

The Leinster and Ireland hooker, Dan Sheehan, said they have planned and prepared well, but all that matters is a win.

“But I think we probably stick to the same procedures in regards to preparation.

“I think you can be in danger of over-hyping a game or getting too feared up about an occasion. So, realistically, it’s pretty similar to a Test match, but obviously everyone knows that there is a lot on the line.

“We were coming up against South Africa, who are one of the best teams in the world, things will go wrong and we probably didn’t get everything right on our part but that’s just a quick review.

“There’s no need to go chasing something that isn’t here. We still have full confidence in our plan and way of preparing. I don’t think it’s a problem.”

This big match on Saturday evening at the iconic Stade de France in Paris kicks off at 21:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport