Compiled by GAVIN CUMMISKEY
CONTEPOMI WITHIN RANGE
“WE have to try to do the perfect game and if we prepare our tactics well, then luck may go our way.”
If Argentina are to have any hope of causing what would be a massive upset tomorrow then Felipe Contepomi will have to rediscover the consistency with the boot that helped make him such a beloved figure during the seven years he lived in Dublin.
Before their last Pool game against Georgia, the Pumas had the worse kicking return in the tournament, with just six successes from 18 attempts.
Fullback Martín Rodríguez has also shared the place-kicking load.
If Felipe makes it to five points he will surpass the 590 milestone amassed by the great Hugo Porta.
Tickets: 20,000 unsold
ENJOYING the World Cup? The organisers aren’t. As of yesterday evening, there were 20,000 tickets still to be sold for the four quarter-finals.
This is not the fault of the Irish and Welsh hordes as only 1,000 tickets remained for Wellington’s 40,000 all-seater stadium.
England against France at Eden Park in Auckland? – 12,300 of the 60,000 capacity were still to be shifted at the time of writing.
It gets worse.
Not even the Wallabies versus the Springboks tomorrow can draw a full house – 3,500 tickets still available.
Surely the All Blacks will pick up the slack? Nope. There was another 3,500 leftovers for their match against the Pumas, also at Eden Park.
The price of a seat ranges from NZ$194 (€112) to NZ$491 (€283).
Williams: Moving forward
DAN CARTER is gone and Richie McCaw isn’t fully fit so, right now, New Zealand are in desperate need of a hero. Step up Sonny Bill Williams.
Once the number 11 black jersey went to Williams for tomorrow’s game against Argentina the comparisons to Jonah Lomu became inevitable. The former rugby league sensation has brought inside-centre playmaking to a new level this year but Ma Nonu wasn’t for dropping. But Williams has finally muscled his way into the All Blacks starting XV tomorrow, at left wing, due to injuries sustained by Israel Dagg, Richard Kahui and Zac Guildford.
“He can play on the wing, he can play in the midfield and I think he could probably play in the loose forwards,” said Graham Henry. “I guess it’s about making practical decisions on his experiences. He has played first-class rugby as a loose forward and he certainly has the physique to play there.”
Wing for now, but don’t be surprised to see Sonny Bill switch to flanker if McCaw’s foot buckles.
Not Dan Carter
“I’m a young guy but I’m pretty enthusiastic about it and excited about the opportunity. I’m going out there to be me. I’m not going out there to be DC. I’m going to play my game and lead the team the best way I know how.” – The man charged with replacing Dan Carter. Imagine Colin Slade’s thoughts as he stares at the ceiling tonight.
