Kiwis leave Umaga on sidelines
New Zealand coach John Mitchell today named an unchanged starting line-up for Saturday’s World Cup semi-final against Australia.
The most notable line was the non-selection once again of Tana Umaga, who Mitchell and his sidekick Robbie Deans declared was “not sharp enough”.
Umaga ruptured his posterior cruciate ligament in New Zealand’s opening game of the tournament but has remained with the squad throughout and had initial hopes of returning for the quarter-finals.
But his lack of match fitness proved costly as Mitchell opted for the same XV that began last weekend’s showdown with South Africa, with Leon MacDonald retaining the outside centre role.
“Tana is just not sharp enough,” said Mitchell. “He has recovered from the injury but has been out for too long.
“He trained today but he was just not sharp enough and you need to be at this level.”
Mitchell’s only tinkering was to bring scrum-half Byron Kelleher onto the bench in place of Steve Devine.
“This is Australia, they are defending champions, this is their country and we never underestimate Australia,” added Mitchell.
“They are very organised and very structured and if we don’t respond we will lose.”
New Zealand team to play Australia in Saturday’s World Cup semi-final is: 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.
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