New Zealand coach Steve Hansen and captain Kieran Read took time out from celebrating their 46-14 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal win over Ireland on Saturday to pay tribute to their departing opposite numbers.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt is set to eventually return home to New Zealand while Rory Best has called it a day after 124 games in Irish green.

(Steve Hansen, head coach of New Zealand greets Joe Schmidt, head coach of Ireland prior to the Rugby World Cup 2019 Quarter Final match between New Zealand and Ireland at the Tokyo Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan.)[Getty/Kyodo]

"Both of them have been instrumental in changing Ireland into a team that earlier in the year were No. 1 in the world, so big congratulations to them," Hansen said at Tokyo Stadium (Ajinomoto Stadium) after his side set up a mouth-watering semifinal clash with England.

"I know they're both finishing up, it's probably not the way they wanted to do it, but unfortunately, sport is not fair. But I'd like to say well done to them, they've done a marvelous job for Ireland."

Read was particularly complimentary about Best, who received a standing ovation from the crowd when he left the field in the 63rd minute.

"I'd just like to echo what the crowd said about Rory (and) his fantastic career," he said. "Mate, you've been a legend of the game so thank you very much for all you've given."

(Rory Best of Ireland shows appreciation to the fans following defeat in the Rugby World Cup 2019 Quarter Final match between New Zealand and Ireland at the Tokyo Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan.)[Getty/Kyodo]

Best could hardly hear himself think, let alone talk, at the final whistle with the crowd roaring every time he was shown on the big screen during his post-match interview.

"I've loved every minute of it, like I said at the start, the crowd have been fantastic," he said.

The 37-year-old explained how thankful he is for the "support that I've got from home, from the fans when we're at home, when we're away, my teammates, the coaching staff and in particular Joe."

(Kieran Read of New Zealand looks on during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Quarter Final match between New Zealand and Ireland at the Tokyo Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan.)[World Rugby/Getty/Kyodo]

"(Schmidt) brought Irish rugby, and my game in particular, to a different level when he came here and a lot of credit goes to him (so) massive thanks to him and good luck to Kieran and the All Blacks next week," he said.

Schmidt said he would carry the scar of Saturday's loss -- together with that of their defeat to Argentina at the same stage four years ago -- for some time.

But he was happy to point to the team's record as proof of their accomplishments.

"We have played 75 other tests and won 75 percent of them and some incredibly good days don't get washed away by two defeats. We met a team today that is No. 1 for a reason."