Blacks expect physical battle

THE All Blacks repeated a well-spun line in the build-up to their World Cup pool D game against Canada today.

“We expect a physical contest,” said New Zealand coach John Mitchell. “We expect improvement from their last performance. Their forwards will work hard and they have a good kicking game. We expect them to put pressure on us. This is their World Cup final.”

While Canada coach David Clark says he has not deliberately chosen an A or B side, only one of the players who faced Wales will line up against New Zealand because he regards the next game against Italy as more important.

The Canadians lost 41-10 to Wales, with centre Marco Di Girolamo the only member of that side to survive.

“There will be no white flag believe me. It’s virtually impossible to play a bruising 80 minute game against the All Blacks and then recover to play a fine game of rugby against Italy,” said Clark. “It would be irresponsible of us as the management to put players in that position and expect them to perform.”

Mitchell, however, said he was unconcerned by what side the Canadians fielded.

New Zealand: L. MacDonald; M. Muliaina, M. Nonu; D. Carter, C. Ralph; C. Spencer, S. Devine; C. Hoeft, M. Hammett, K. Meeuws, B. Thorn, C. Jack, R. Thorne, M. Holah, R. So’oialo.

Replacements: C. Flynn, D. Hewett, R. McCaw, D. Braid, B. Kelleher, D. Howlett, B. Blair.

Canada: Q. Fyffe; M. King, J. Cannon, M. Di Girolamo, S. Fauth; J. Barker, E. Fairhurst; K. Tkachuk, A. Abrams, G. Cooke, J. Cudmore, E. Knaggs, R. Banks, J. Douglas, J. Reid.

Replacements: M. Lawson, R. Snow, A. van Staveren, C. Yukes, M. Williams, R. Smith, N. Witkowski.

Referee: T. Spreadbury (England)