WALES Grand Slam-winning captain Michael Owen has hailed Saturday’s stunning 22-10 World Cup quarter-final victory over Ireland as the greatest Welsh performance he has ever seen.

And the former Newport Gwent Dragons No 8 believes Wales can now march on to win the World Cup itself.

Owen, who led Wales to their 2005 Grand Slam triumph, could hardly contain his excitement after the magnificent Welsh performance in the Wellington Stadium on Saturday.

"On that evidence Wales can win the World Cup," said Owen firmly. "My only doubt is about whether they can continue to soak up all that pressure against the All Blacks or Australia because of their firepower.

"But Wales defended incredibly well. This was the ultimate test, lose and we were going home, win and we were staying. But Wales were too good, every time Ireland went forward they were tackled back so physically with players like Jamie Roberts and George North so strong.

"It was the greatest performance I’ve ever seen by a Welsh team, it was awesome. They just played a perfect game. A couple of times it happens that a team plays that well when everything you want them to do comes off.

"There were one or two mistakes, but every time that happened someone made up for it. Whenever Ireland got to within ten yards of the Welsh line Wales would say ‘that’s it, no closer’."

Owen believes Wales are now the complete team, and they can dictate the way any game is played.

"Things just get better and better. Rhys Priestland was brilliant, playing him at outside-half was the right option. Stephen Ferris and Sean O’Brien are among the best ball-carriers in Europe, but we were smashing them with Dan Lydiate and Luke Charteris leading the defence," he said.

"When your luck is in like that it doesn’t matter who you are playing against, it’s your day. Ireland were on the money, but everyone in the Welsh team reacted.

"Ireland have got Grand Slam and Triple Crown winners in their team, but youth outplayed experience. Wales have got a top crust of experienced players, but they can play however they like now, they are a complete team, they’ve got it all."

Owen is sure that Wales are playing with so much confidence they can even beat the All Blacks if both teams get to the World Cup final.

"Yes, Wales can beat the All Blacks," he said firmly. "They have been getting closer and closer after not competing for years.

"South Africa in the first game of the tournament was the turning-point. Before the 2005 Grand Slam we played New Zealand and lost 26-25 when instead of hanging in there we were competing, we were sitting at the top.

"In international rugby there are similarities. They were even better against South Africa when they beat them at their own game. Now they are not just a team playing openattractive rugby, they are a serious team and it’s a privilege to be here."