Rugby World Cup 2011 match preview: All Blacks take on Wallabies in second semi-final
Had the Aussies not lost to Ireland in their Pool matches of Rugby World Cup 2011, the upcoming dream semi-final between the All Blacks and the Wallabies may not have taken place. However, the toughest contest of the world showpiece is all set and is going
to be staged in Eden Park, Auckland as All Blacks and Wallabies will be standing toe-to-toe in what may be the final before the actual final.
New Zealand won the first ever global tournament in the history of rugby and is determined to claim another one before their home crowd as they had done back in 1987. Meanwhile, they will be required to put in a huge effort to overwhelm their neighbours,
who have won two out of their previous three outgoings against the All Blacks. In their last meeting, staged in the final of Tri-Nations Cup 2011, Wallabies managed to carry the day by 25-20.
However, the All Blacks have got a huge psychological advantage over the Wallabies as for as their last 11 clashes are concerned. All Blacks registered nine consecutive victories against them from 2008-10. The current year of 2011 has put the sides face
to face twice in competition and the equation has remained balanced with one each for the teams.
Every time the sides have met on-field, it has never been easy to predict the results. This will once again be the case in the upcoming clash as the sides have got depth in their line ups despite a few injuries. New Zealand is feared to fall short while
trying to handle the pressure of their mighty home crowd. Meanwhile, they have not got the services of their seasoned and time tested kicker, Dan Carter, for this particular thriller. Their second choice fly-half Colin Slade is also out of action with a groin
injury. Aaron Cruden will be required to show lots of courage to face the fearsome Wallabies at a comparatively new role.
The Wallabies have also got a severe blow in the shape of a shoulder injury to their full-back Kurtley Beale just one day before the match. He has been replaced by Adam-Ashley Cooper in the back rows.
New Zealand has got the best in their side including skipper Richie McCaw, Israel Dagg, Owen Franks and Keven Mealamu. Captain Richie McCaw will be required to lead from the front to carry on the winning momentum in the tournament.
All Blacks head coach, Robbie Deans, also stressed that the skipper perform exceptionally well in the hot clash against Australia. He urged his man and said that, “Richie will play out of his skin. He’s one of those blokes. You’ve only got to look at the
way he returns from injury after a long lay-off. He doesn’t work his way back into form and back into the game, he hits the ground running. We’re expecting the best from him.”
On the other hand, Wallabies are expecting Quade Cooper, David Pocock and James Horwill to challenge the world number 1 side.
Teams:
Australia: 15 Adam Ashley Cooper, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Radike Samo, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Dan Vickerman, 3 Ben Alexander,
2 Stephen Moore, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Ben McCalman, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Anthony Faingaa.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Richard Kahui, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Brad Thorn, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu,
1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew h**e, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Sonny Bill Williams.
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