Andrew Mehrtens believes the Ireland rugby team should be the first team mentioned when people are talking about favourites for the World Cup.
"People are talking a bit more about Ireland, probably still not as much as we should be," All Blacks legend Mehrtens told the BBC 5 Live Rugby Daily podcast.
"They really should be the first team that comes off the tongue when you're talking about favourites for the Rugby World Cup.
"France are looking good, South Africa are obviously building as well, and are a phenomenal team. Ireland really deserve to be talked about a lot more. They will be happy about it, going about their business bit by bit.
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"That was an impressive performance against Tonga by Ireland. A comprehensive victory against a team that has no shortage of talent, has no shortage of players who are starting to get a bit more cohesion - they are no mugs Tonga. To put them away like that was impressive. They will go up another gear this weekend, I'm sure Ireland."
15 June 2002; Andrew Mehrtens of New Zealand in action against the Ireland rugby team during the Summer Tour 2002 1st Test match at Carisbrook in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile
Mehrtens believes Ireland have the "creativity in attack" to hurt South Africa this weekend.
"They find solutions," said Mehrtens.
"They have got the bulk, they have got the strength and power to have a good go at the Boks. They will also unlock the defence better, perhaps, than the All Blacks were able to show against France or against South Africa at Twickenham.
"Ireland will go in with confidence. Where I think they are phenomenal is communication. The All Blacks, for that ten-year period where they really dominated more than any other period in history with 2011 and 2015 World Cups, communication was such an unsung hero as part of their armoury.
"It enables them to go into structured play but react to what's going on in front of them. That's through clear, precise and accurate communication.
20 September 2023; Head coach Andy Farrell, left, and captain Jonathan Sexton during an Ireland rugby team media conference at the Paxton Spa Hotel Paris in Paris, France ahead of the Rugby World Cup clash with South Africa. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
"Ireland have a plan that they are working to. As soon as the picture changes in front of them or there's an opportunity, they will be able to react to that because they have got multiple runners at any given time. They are all running realistic lines.
"They are always attracting defenders and there's always going to be an opportunity somewhere. It's like that great Australian team that was marshalled by Stephen Larkham where he had multiple runners and it's just the reading of the play and the communication that allows him to choose the right one.
"Look, I don't want to write off South Africa, because they are phenomenal, they've got patience and they smash you, smash you, and as soon as there's the slightest opportunity, they pounce whether it's Libbok, Kolbe, Arendse - they have got so many different lethal players who can just pounce on any opportunity."
22 September 2023; Ireland rugby team players during their captain's run at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, Paris, France ahead of their Rugby World Cup clash with South Africa. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Mehrtens added that he thinks the All Blacks would prefer to meet Ireland in the quarter-finals rather than South Africa.
"I have a feeling the All Blacks would like to meet Ireland," he said.
"South Africa has always been the rivalry, so you'll always have losses against South Africa. There's always naturally that respect and sting in a game against South Africa.
"Now, when Ireland came out to New Zealand last year and won a series and it's only been six or seven years since Ireland achieved their first victory against the All Blacks... Not that any player needs extra motivation but I think there will be plenty of spice in the All Blacks preparation if they were to meet Ireland having so recently had those results which were hitherto unthinkable against Ireland.
"I really don't think they'll mind [who they play]. They'll want to concentrate on their own game like every other team."
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