New Zealand v France:For New Zealand and their All Blacks, the 2007 Coupe du Monde starts now. Their predictable jaunt through the pool stages having been completed with 309 points and 46 tries scored in four matches (and just four conceded) they move to Cardiff ahead of the anticipated invasion of 20,000-plus of their supporters.
Their team announcement for Saturday's eagerly awaited quarter-final with the, eh, hosts France (only the politically infested, money-driven IRB could come up with such a concept) was by far the most significant, and one only has to examine some of the names excluded to appreciate their unparalleled strength in depth.
The All Blacks' all-time record try-scorer and Munster-bound Doug Howlett, and Rolls Royce of centres Aaron Mauger are amongst those to miss out on the 22 altogether, while Chris Jack - nominally the world's best lock in the estimation of many - has to be content with a place on the bench behind Keith Robinson and Ali Williams. The other eye-catching selection is that of Mils Muliaina at centre alongside Luke McAllister in their ever-changing midfield.
There remains a cloud over the participation of the world's best outhalf Dan Carter due to his ongoing calf problem in his left leg, and Graham Henry yesterday admitted Carter is being kept back from a full training load this week in saying "we can't be 100 per cent certain he will play". But they appeared optimistic enough.
"We've picked the best team for this test," said Henry. "Muliaina is a class act at 15 or 13 and he's relaxed about it."
This being their biggest game in four years as they seek to end 20 years of hurt in search of New Zealand's holy grail, they also clearly wanted to employ the experience of Leon MacDonald at fullback.
The All Blacks' head coach said the selection of their pack was not as difficult as perming their seven starting backs from the array of gamebreakers at their disposal. "We could have picked any of the 14 backs we have here," said Henry, who admitted: "This has been the toughest selection we've ever had to make in my time as All Blacks' coach."
This is primarily because not only is he choosing from a full bill of health, but also because virtually all his squad appear to be in excellent form as well. That said, Robinson was picked ahead of Jack in part because he has only had 55 minutes' action so far.
If the All Blacks are suddenly under pressure, they appear to be wearing it well and making all the right noises. Asked whether they will now concentrate on that rather than the physical, captain Richie McCaw said: "I think that's fair. The preparation we've done for a long time. On Saturday we'll be clear about what we've done and put it all together. We're ready to get stuck in. We've put some money in the bank and we're ready to start spending it."
McCaw dismissed all talk of what's happened in the past when asked if they had the upper hand on France.
"I'm not sure about that. Every test match there's a bit of fear to get the results. We can always have confidence if we do the work right and have a good performance, there's no reason we can't get the result we are after.
"Everything that has happened up to now becomes irrelevant. France will be desperate. We have got to be desperate and come out with passion."
Henry and his brains trust are, of course, choosing from perhaps the sharpest trio of try-scoring wingers in any one squad in the game's history.
Hence, although he is the All Blacks' all-time leading try scorer with 49 tries in 62 tests and the tournament's joint second highest try scorer (six), Howlett loses out and Henry can cite the "outstanding strike rate" of Sivivatu (21 tries in 20 tests) and Rokocoko (43 tries in 47 tests) in preferring the Fijian-born cousins.
Only in the All Blacks.
NEW ZEALAND: 15 Leon MacDonald; 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Mils Muliaina, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu; 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Byron Kelleher; 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (capt), 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Keith Robinson, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Anton Oliver, 1 Tony Woodcock. Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Chris Masoe, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Nick Evans, 22 Isaia Toeava.
