All Blacks have to show Ireland something new - James Parsons

Ireland must be prepared to expect the unexpected from New Zealand early on in Saturday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final, according to former All Black James Parsons.

Andy Farrell's side have made a habit of fast starts in big games, with James Lowe scoring their first try inside 60 seconds in the win against Scotland last week, while they also scored early tries in each of their three Tests against the All Blacks last summer.

Ireland are marginal favourites to beat New Zealand and end their quarter-final hoodoo at the Stade de France, but Parsons told RTÉ Sport that he expects the All Blacks to throw their chips in early on Saturday night.

"For us, the All Blacks, we've got to show them something they haven’t seen, especially early in the game, you have to put that pressure on the breakdown," the former Auckland Blues hooker told the RTÉ Rugby World Cup podcast.

Parsons cited the comfort that Ireland's half-back pair Jamison Gibson-Park and Johnny Sexton enjoyed during last week's win against Scotland, and wants to see New Zealand's defence throw something unexpected at them to keep them honest.

"They [Ireland] take their time to set Jamo [Gibson-Park] for those kicks. Jamo was 11 carries and eight kicks against Scotland, whereas Sexton was five carries and two kicks. We’ve got to not allow them kick or play on their terms.

"You have to shock them. If you show them one picture early, you can show another picture. And it gets them thinking, and it just gives them a moment of hesitation, that maybe Sexton has to carry, or maybe he throws that pass and it gets intercepted, or maybe you hit that ruck off the kick-off and the ball bobbles out and Jamo can't kick from a stable base."

In addition, Parsons believes that Ian Foster's