Tana Umaga's World Cup is almost certainly over after he was left out of the New Zealand side for Saturday's semi-final against Australia in Sydney.
The 30-year-old centre, the All Blacks' vice-captain, was injured in the 21st minute of their opening game against Italy last month when he ruptured the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. He was retained in the squad apparently in the hope he would be fit for the knockout stage, though the All Blacks admitted yesterday he had been kept on because of the experience he had to offer a relatively young squad.
"Tana has been around for a long time and he has the ability to contribute off the field," said the New Zealand assistant coach Robbie Deans. "He was not considered for Australia because he was not considered sharp enough even though he took a full part in training this week, but he is doing a lot of work in the background and remains a valuable member of the squad."
New Zealand named the side which started against South Africa last week with scrumhalf Byron Kelleher replacing the Australia-born Steve Devine on the bench. "Anyone who thinks our semi-final is a foregone conclusion is mistaken," said the New Zealand coach John Mitchell. "Australia are playing in their own country and they are the world champions.
"We will never underestimate them. The fact that we scored 50 points in Sydney last July is irrelevant: this is a World Cup semi-final and what happened in the past will have no bearing on it."
One area where Australia have an advantage is experience. The scrumhalf Justin Marshall is the only New Zealand player who has passed 50 caps while the Wallabies boast the likes of George Gregan, Stephen Larkham, Joe Roff, Matt Cockbain, Matt Burke and David Giffin.
"We largely have a group of young guys who do not feel pressure too much," said Deans. "I cannot say there are no anxieties and the adrenalin rises on the big occasion, but we have put form and the needs of the team ahead of experience and it has paid off so far."
Australia's only injury problem has been the loss of the outhalf understudy Matt Giteau who has been ruled out with an ankle injury. He was replaced in the squad by Nathan Grey.
Meanwhile, Ireland flanker Alan Quinlan will miss the Six Nations Championship because of surgery on his injured shoulder. Quinlan will undergo an operation at the end of this week. He will also Munster's Heineken Cup pool games.
The 29-year-old suffered a dislocation and torn ligaments when scoring Ireland's only try in their World Cup pool win over Argentina last month.
Quinlan, who has 19 caps and five international tries to his credit, expects to return next April and is aiming to tour South Africa with Ireland at the end of the season. He said: "I'm hoping to be back in April when, hopefully, Munster will be involved in the knockout stage of the Heineken Cup."
Denis Hickie, who ruptured his Achilles tendon in Ireland's defeat by Australia, has undergone an operation and will have his foot in plaster for six months.
NEW ZEALAND: M Muliaina; D Howlett, L MacDonald, A Mauger, J Rokocoko; C Spencer, J Marshall; D Hewett, K Mealamu, G Somerville, C Jack, A Williams, R Thorne (captain), R McCaw, J Collins. Replacements: M Hammett, K Meeuws, B Thorn, M Holah, B Kelleher, D Carter, C Ralph.
AUSTRALIA: M Rogers; W Sailor, S Mortlock, E Flatley, L Tuqiri; S Larkham, G Gregan (capt); B Young, B Cannon, B Darwin, J Harrison, N Sharpe, G Smith, P Waugh, D Lyons. Replacements: J Paul, A Baxter, D Giffin or D Vickerman, M Cockbain, C Whitaker, N Grey, J Roff.
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