All Blacks coach Graham Henry has labeled Sunday night’s Rugby World Cup semifinal against the Wallabies as New Zealand’s biggest game in a decade.
Henry this morning named Richie McCaw in his starting team, as expected, despite the inspirational captain struggling with a lingering foot injury.
The 101-test flanker is the All Blacks most experienced player, making his debut in November 2001, and Henry indicated Sunday’s clash would be the most important of his career to date.
McCaw is one of just four survivors from the All Blacks corresponding World Cup semifinal loss to Australia in Sydney in 2003 and the pressure is on him and his teammates to end a 24-year Cup drought.
Assistant coach, Steve Hansen said that both sides are facing a lot of pressure going into this game but it is how they handle it which will determine the outcome.
Former, Wallabies captain in the 1991 RWC win, Nick Farr Jones believes that the Australian team needs some improvement in their set pieces to do well against the All Blacks on Sunday.
In the first semifinal tomorrow night, Wales will go into the game against France as favorites having hit a rich vein of form that mixes defense with attacking flair.
France halfback, Dimtri Yachvill said that no team in the quarter-final stage looked more in control of what they were doing than Wales did against Ireland with their defence superb while the attack was slick and the tactics were spot on.
But, Wales, defence coach, Shaun Edwards said that they now face the side that no team can prepare for with any certainty.
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 commentary of both matches can be heard on our sister station, Viti FM with Malakai Veisamasama and Ilivasi Tabua.
Story by: Dreu Vukailagi
NZ/Wallabies semi biggest game of the decade
Related Stories
Unity through rugby: Sukuna challenge shifted to the north
Ratu Wiliame Katonivere says rugby, especially the Sukuna Bowl brings unity to all Fijians as the historic clash heads to the north for the first time. Ratu Wiliame says the decision to move the Ratu Sukuna Rugby
Suva fall short against Mataks in OFC Futsal Championship
Suva Futsal Club put up a determined performance in their OFC Futsal Men’s Champions League 2025 match, but were defeated 5-1 by a strong Mataks FC side from the Solomon Islands. The loss means Suva’s chances o
Ruben Love to start for All Blacks as Robertson rotates team for Wales
Scott Robertson has put his trust in Damian McKenzie at first five-eiqhth after electing to make 13 positional changes to his run-on team for the All Blacks' final test of the vear against Wales in Cardiff on Sunday mor
Botitu and Maqala in the midfield with Nasova on the wing
Major changes have been made to the FIJI Water Flying Fijians side to take on Spain on Sunday as Vilimoni Botitu and Sireli Maqala will start in the midfield with Joji Nasova on the wing. Head coach Mick Byrne has
New Zealand's Waikato Rapids through to OFC Futsal final after beating defending champions New Caledonia
New Zealand's Waikato Rapids have booked their spot in the OFC Futsal Men’s Champions League final, beating defending champions New Caledonia's AS PTT 5–2 at the Vodafone Arena in Suva. The Rapids made a fast s
Tanoa Hotel renews partnership with Fijian Drua
Tanoa Hotels has renewed its partnership with the Fijian Drua, securing Tanoa Hotels’ position as the Official Hotel and Home of the Fijian Drua for an additional three years. The Drua says the renewed agreement