Europe leads the way in World Cup semi-finals

For France and Wales the wait is almost over, with the European rivals set to kickoff a weekend of World Cup semi-final action at Eden Park here on Saturday.

But New Zealand and Australia face an especially nervous day ahead of their match at the Auckland ground on Sunday.

The All Blacks will be desperate to avoid yet another injury to a frontline player while the Wallabies give full-back Kurtley Beale as much time as possible to recover from a hamstring problem.

While there have been some sparky exchanges in the build-up to the clash between trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand and Australia, the French and the Welsh have, it seems, been trying to ‘kill with kindness’ ahead of their match.

France No 8 Imanol Harinordoquy labelled Wales the “All Blacks of the North” while Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards insisted a French side renowned for being brilliant one week and bad the next, could ‘back-up’ their sweeping 19-12 quarter-final win over England.

Wales have been forced into making a change with James Hook taking over at fly-half from Rhys Priestland (shoulder).

France coach Marc Lievremont - the only non Kiwi boss left in the tournament - was able to confirm Friday the first unchanged team of what will be his 43 game reign this Saturday, when scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili was passed fit following a thigh injury.

But he saw no problems for Wales in Hook replacing Priestland.

“He’s more of an all-round player, more experienced, and experience at this level is very important when you see the youth in the Wales team.”

Making up for previous World Cup disappointment is a powerful incentive and Lievremont, a member of the side that lost the 1999 final to Australia, urged his side to use the hurt of previous losses to their advantage as they bid to become the first France team to win the World Cup.

“The England match wasn’t enough, we need anger at ourselves so that we don’t miss this opportunity to win a World Cup semi-final.” AFP