With Australia and New Zealand weighed down by expectation heading into their semifinal on Saturday, Wallabies captain George Gregan predicts neither team will hold anything back for a possible World Cup final.
”We’re not going to die wondering tomorrow night,” Gregan said on Friday. ”It’s going to go the 80 minutes.”
The defending champion Australians will be taking heart from New Zealand’s 1999 World Cup semifinal that saw rank outsiders France snatch a 43-31 from the All Blacks.
”The guys who weren’t involved in [the 1999 loss] still saw it and were aware it’s a unique chance and you don’t get a second chance at it,” said New Zealand captain Reuben Thorne.
”This is a one-off game and you can’t hold anything back hoping to be in the final, you’ve got to pour everything into the semifinal. If anything I’d like to think it made me stronger as a player.”
Both Australia and New Zealand announced unchanged starting lineups for the match from the teams that contested the quarterfinals. The winner will play the France-England semifinal winner in the final on November 22.
New Zealand recorded a comprehensive 29-9 win over South Africa while Australia took a less convincing 33-16 victory over Scotland.
Rugby league converts Mat Rogers and winger Wendell Sailor retain their spots in the Australian XV despite heavy criticism of their performances, while Lote Tuqiri did enough against Scotland to keep veteran winger Joe Roff out of the team again.
Australia coach Eddie Jones said he’d considered changes to the backline, but ruled them out due to the different dynamic of playing New Zealand.
”We had a look at fullback where we have an outstanding player available in Chris Latham, but decided Matty [Rogers] is the best option for this game,” Jones said.
”We also had a look at the wing combination and in the end we feel that Lote and Wendell on the right wing and Roffy off the bench will suit us best for this game.”
Veteran lock David Giffin, meanwhile, has recovered from a leg injury and starts on the Australian bench.
New Zealand centre Tana Umaga, who ruptured ligaments in his left knee in the All Blacks’ opening 70-7 win over Italy, was not selected in the 22, despite returned to training with the squad.
”He’s simply not sharp enough to be considered,” explained New Zealand coach John Mitchell. ”He trained fully today in the team session but it’s been nearly six weeks since he played any rugby.”
In the All Blacks’ only team change, Byron Kelleher replaces Australian-born Steve Devine on the bench as the number two scrumhalf.
Mitchell said the Australians will be tougher than any team the All Blacks have faced this tournament.
”It’s going to take a massive performance,” said Mitchell. ”This is Australia, they are playing the World Cup in their own country, and they are the defending world champions. We never underestimate them — it would be absolutely foolish to do so.”
Gregan said there was little between the two teams and predicted the match would be a ”tight affair”.
”A lot of people don’t think we can make the final. They didn’t think France could [in 1999],” he said. ”But from the players’ point of view, and not just ourselves but the All Blacks as well, we all know we can do it.” — Sapa-AP