Preview: New Zealand v Portugal

14/09/2007 Sportal.co.nz

Portugal has taken the right attitude into Saturday's World Cup game with the All Blacks, it is the experience of a lifetime, but that is unlikely to see the intensity of the New Zealand performance diminish.

VENUE & TIME: Gerland Stadium, Lyon, Saturday, September 15, 23.00 NZT.

HEAD TO HEAD: First time fixture

WALKING WOUNDED: Of the New Zealanders, only lock Keith Robinson and utility forward Reuben Thorne are on the injured list. Conrad Smith comes back into the team after being forced out of the opening game against Italy due to a hamstring twinge. Portugal has made nine changes to its team which performed so creditably in its opening game with Scotland.

FORM: Clearly the All Blacks were one of the few leading teams to switch straight into gear, largely due to pent up frustration from not having played in the previous seven weeks. A near new selection takes the field against Portugal and has the stated goal of wanting to up the ante from the opening performance. Portugal, rather than being content with the minnow status it has been credited with, took on Scotland and while always likely to lose, it did show it had some fine basic techniques, although the speed of the All Blacks will fully test the side's defensive capabilities.

WHO'S HOT: It's still early days in the tournament but of the players who appeared in the first game both locks Chris Jack and Ali Williams showed outstanding form, especially with their contributions during the first quarter of the game. Jerry Collins thrived on the action and was to the fore in the latter stages with memorable displays of his skills. Mils Muliaina had a quiet day at centre but can expect much more room to manoeuvre at fullback this time around. Portugal's Pedro Carvalho has achieved hero status in his homeland for scoring his country's first World Cup try and it would make his day to score against the All Blacks.

WE THINK: Other countries have not been able to make as big an impression as expected against the lesser countries, but the All Blacks could provide the exception against Portugal. The problem for Portugal is that the less favoured players in the All Blacks side have few chances to push for a place in the top 22. These sorts of games are their chance and if the All Blacks can mount anything like a cohesive thrust for 80 minutes, then a massive score is in prospect.

TEAMS:

New Zealand: 1 - Neemia Tialata, 2 - Andrew Hore, 3 - Greg Somerville, 4 - Chris Jack, 5 - Ali Williams, 6 - Jerry Collins (captain), 7 - Chris Masoe, 8 - Sione Lauaki, 9 - Brendon Leonard, 10 - Nick Evans, 11 - Joe Rokocoko, 12 - Aaron Mauger, 13 - Conrad Smith, 14 - Isaia Toeava, 15 - Mils Muliaina.

Reserves: 16 - Anton Oliver, 17 - Tony Woodcock, 18 - Carl Hayman, 19 - Rodney So'oialo, 20 - Keven Mealamu, 21 - Andy Ellis, 22 - Leon MacDonald.

Portugal: 1 - Andre Silva, 2 - Joao Correia, 3 - Ruben Spachuck, 4 - Marcelle d'Orey, 5 - Goncalo Uva, 6 - Paulo Murinello, 7 - Diogo Coutinho, 8 - Vasco Uva (captain), 9 - Luis Pissarra, 10 - Goncalo Malheiro, 11 - Pedro Carvalho, 12 - Diogo Mateus, 13 - Migual Portela, 14 - Antonio Aguilar, 15 - Pedro Leal.

Reserves: 16 - Rui Cordeiro, 17 - Joaquim Ferreira, 18 - David Penalva, 19 - Tiago Girao, 20 - Joao Uva, 21 - Jose Pinto, 22 - Duart Cardoso Pinto.

REFEREE: Chris White (England)

Touch judges: H Watkins (Wales), M Jonker (South Africa)