Quade Cooper adds to ongoing verbal war prior to upcoming semifinal against New Zealand
Australian national Rugby Union team’s star international fly half, Quade Cooper, has joined the ongoing verbal spate that is taking place between the Aussie and Kiwi squads to mount pressure on the tournament hosts, All Blacks for their upcoming encounter. All Blacks will host the Wallabies in the second semifinal of the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) on Sunday, October 16 at Eden Park, Auckland.
Cooper is under pressure to perform after facing severe media and a public trial for his known problems with acclaimed All Blacks, Richie McCaw.
Cooper on Wednesday, October 12 has again reminded All Blacks, that they have a lot to lose during the weekend encounter. The statement carry’s a strong underlying message that Wallabies are aware of the pressure with which All Blacks will take the field in their upcoming home ground semi-final against their Trans–Tasman rivals in their bid to claim a spot in the RWC final and also to win the title for the first time since 1987.
Wallabies and All Blacks so far have played two knockout matches in RWC history. Wallabies ended as winners on both occasions. Additionally, All Blacks are yet to make it to the finals of any of the previous RWC since the 1995 RWC tournament.
Cooper knows this fact and stated, “They are supposed to have won this World Cup for the past three tournaments and this is no different. A lot of pressure is on them to win this competition on home soil so I am sure they will be worried about how they are going.”
Cooper has expressed his confidence that he will deliver a good performance in their upcoming encounter. He said, “These are the moments you play rugby for, an opportunity to play against the best team in the world in their back yard in a World Cup semi-final.”
Wallabies will fancy their chances to register their first win at the Eden Park, Auckland in the past 25 years. They are buoyed by the fact that All Blacks will be without the services of their star fly half Dan Carter. However, All Blacks are a formidable force, particularly at Eden Park. They are yet to concede a game at Eden Park, since 2003, after France defeated them 23 – 20.
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