The fitness of fullback Kurtley Beale, who is recovering from a strain in his left hamstring, will determine whether Australia fields an unchanged starting line-up in Sunday night’s much anticipated Rugby World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.

Ashley-Cooper is similarly bracketed at centre, alongside the Queensland Reds Anthony Fainga’a, who will slot into the midfield in a flow on effect should Beale ultimately be ruled out, and Ashley-Cooper line up at fullback.

Beale has twice left the field with the same hamstring strain during Rugby World Cup.

The likes of Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore, Dan Vickerman, James Horwill, Rocky Elsom, David Pocock, Radike Samo, Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Digby Ioane, Pat McCabe, Adam Ashley-Cooper, James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale are in the run on team.

Meanwhile the starting 15 for the All Blacks are:

Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Richard Kahui, Aaron Cruden, Piri Weepu, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Ali Williams, Victor Vito, Andy Ellis, Stephen Donald, Sonny Bill Williams.

The first semifinal of the Rugby World Cup tomorrow at 8pm will see France meet Wales and at 8pm Sunday the All Blacks meet the Wallabies and the live commentaries of both matches can be heard on our sister station, Viti FM with Malakai Veisamasama and Ilivasi Tabua.


Story by: Dreu Vukailagi