With all eight quarter-final spots now filled, Scott Yeoman looks at seven things you need to know going into tonight and the next few days.

After cruising through their pool, the All Blacks need this match against France to shake off the cobwebs, writes Justin Marshall.

Will All Blacks will get the referee they fear most for quarter final against France?

Ever since the draw was made - some time last century - the World Cup was destined to march back in time to pit the All Blacks against France in a Cardiff quarterfinal.

World Cup quarter-final week for the All Blacks means an increasing number are welcoming partners and families after a month away from home.

It's quarter-final week and the mood has changed in the All Blacks' camp ahead of what is potentially their last game of the World Cup.

SBW should start ahead of Ma'a Nonu in the quarterfinal, in the name of trying to break opponents with skill rather than crashing through them, writes Chris Rattue.

The All Blacks are heading for a showdown in Cardiff, the scene of their 2007 World Cup exit. Dylan Cleaver revisits that dark day.

Ma'a Nonu's trophies for playing 100 tests for the All Blacks could be seen on his head after the Tonga match in Newcastle.

Tony Woodcock's World Cup tournament is likely over, with Canterbury prop Joe Moody heading to the UK to join the squad

The All Blacks won't mind who they face in next weekend's quarter-final, writes Christian Cullen, they will be happy either way

He has had to be patient but, after the toughest four years of his career, Daniel Carter is finally where he wants to be.

Plenty of people have failed to grasp a simple fact, writes Gregor Paul. The only thing the All Blacks need to do is win.

Nehe Milner-Skudder has almost certainly won the No14 jersey for the All Blacks' quarter-final next weekend and he can't wait.

The All Blacks aren't satisfied with their World Cup form but hope the "real fear" of a quarterfinal exit will spur them on.

Kieran Read's form has flat-lined this season and it should concern the All Blacks, writes Wynne Gray.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has played a starring role a lip-syncing video that has gone viral.

Nehe Milner-Skudder and Sam Cane lead the way for All Blacks players who stood out statistically against Tonga.

Nervous New Zealand fans fear the Rugby World Cup is on its way back to Australia.

The English media has wasted no time in panning the All Blacks' chances of defending the World Cup.

Despite a frustrating first half, the All Blacks managed a win against Tonga with a decent margin - but fans on Twitter were kept on the edges of their seats at first.

If the All Blacks needed a challenge to get going in this World Cup they got it in the first half of this big victory over Tonga.

It wasn't quite the emphatic statement they were hoping for, but the All Blacks did at least run into more convincing form in Newcastle.

Ma'a Nonu has taken to the field for his 100th test this morning, decked out in a custom pair of boots made especially for the historic occasion.

Gallaher wore the famous jersey during the side's tour of the British Isles in 1905 with the team that was known as 'the Originals'.

Join us here for a live chat with Herald expert Wynne Gray following the World Cup match between the All Blacks and Tonga in Newcastle.

But for the All Black players, it doesn't really work like that. There is no hoodoo or curse or anything like that.