New Zealand fans go wild over James Lowe's alleged forward pass ...

New Zealand fans were left incensed following Aaron Smith's yellow card as they insisted there was a forward pass from Ireland in the build-up.

The two nations are facing off in the second Rugby World Cup quarter-final of Saturday, with the winner to face Argentina.

Fans believe this pass from Lowe was forwardCredit: ITV Referee Wayne Barnes failed to notice the alleged forward passCredit: ITV Smith was sent to the sin-bin before half-time, with Ireland immediately benefitingCredit: Getty

With New Zealand leading 18-10 as the game approached half-time, Ireland scored a try of their own in the 38th minute, with Johnny Sexton converting to close the gap to 18-17.

Ireland made immediate use of their extra man after Smith was sent to the sin-bin by referee Wayne Barnes for a deliberate knock-on.

The 34-year-old was guilty of stopping Jamison Gibson-Park from darting into the space behind him.

But New Zealand supporters believe that they should have had a penalty before his yellow card, after James Lowe appeared to make a forward pass to Hugo Keenan seconds before Smith's illegal intervention.

TMO failed to take a look at the incident, with Smith subsequently departing the pitch, before Ireland got themselves back in the game.

Sharing a clip of the incident, one New Zealand fan raged: "Clearly forward from Lowe, right before the yellow card. Thanks Wayne."

Another said: "How’s he missed the James Lowe forward pass literally seconds before?! Shocker."

A third added: "How has the TMO missed the blatant forward pass by James Lowe right before he sent him off for a yellow?!"

This user then commented: "WHAAAAAT??? The first pass before that play was clearly forward off the deck from Lowe….."

And this fan messaged: "Farcical. There was a clear forward pass before that!"

Meanwhile this fan stated: "Forward pass from Lowe to Keenan in build up to yellow card, which led to the try?"

Smith's yellow card didn't prove to be detrimental for New Zealand, as they edged out a 28-24 win to knock Ireland out of the World Cup.

Another New Zealand player in Codie Taylor was sent to the sin-bin in the second half, but they held on to set up a semi-final clash against Argentina.