The Vent: Are the French holding back?

Did the French tank this morning? Should Wayne Barnes be given the whistle? Mick and Veitchy on completely different tangents! Who wins?? Let's Vent.

In this week's episode of the Vent, Tony and Michael Guerin discuss the big talking points from the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals draw.

Revenge for 2007?

Guerin: Let's be honest, revenge for 2007...didn't we get that in 2011? Twice? We got it twice. We've already done this. How long can we hold a grudge for?

Veitch: Tell me this though, that French team this morning against Ireland will that be the French team that fronts up against the All Blacks?

Guerin: It's a do or die game but they were dreadful this morning.

Should All Blacks fans be worried?

Guerin: The rugby punters in this country deserve better than this gobbledygook.

Veitch: You're telling me all those New Zealand fans heading off and are spending their $30,000 are not going to be just a tad worried this week.

Guerin: Possibly nervous but Ireland just thrashed France at the Millennium Stadium by 15 points. We're playing them at the same ground next week. All Blacks will beat France. They're too good for them. What concerns me after that is South Africa. Also Australia could have Scotland and Argentina or Ireland to make the final. Australia's second half of the tournament just got a hell of a lot easier.

Veitch: There is no way World Rugby put Wayne Barnes in charge of this game. They just won't do it. I think it would be fantastic. What a storyline.

Guerin: Nigel Owens should get the game because he's the best ref and it's the biggest game. We're the top seed and Nigel Owens gets the game. But if it's Wayne Barnes, who cares?

Good match-ups?

Guerin: I think we've got four.

Veitch: Come on, Australia vs Scotland.

Guerin: They've still got to win. Scotland and actually beaten Australia twice since the last World Cup.

Naholo is gone?

Veitch: Grant Fox confirmed to me that Julian Savea will start so Nehe Milner-Skudder has got to go right wing. One concern I have at the moment and I hope he fronts is Kieran Read.