Sean Fitzpatrick has blackballed the Wallabies from a mythical Anzac team.
Asked how many of the Australian side would make the starting line-up of a transtasman team selected from the semifinalists, the former All Black skipper drew a blank while predicting a 20-point win for New Zealand tomorrow night.
From the potent
back three of Joe Rokocoko, Doug Howlett and Mils Muliaina to hooker Keven Mealamu, Fitzpatrick could not find room for a Wallaby interloper.
"You match up these teams and there's not too many guys I'd want to swap, if any," Fitzpatrick told the Daily Telegraph newspaper.
"When I played I used to sit down and go through the opposition.
"If we matched-up pretty well, I knew we were a big chance. You look at the line-ups for this weekend and I know which team I'd rather be in."
At the 1999 World Cup, Ben Tune, Matt Burke, Daniel Herbert, Tim Horan and George Gregan might have muscled into the backline, and Toutai Kefu, John Eales and Michael Foley would have been automatic picks in the pack.
Of the present crop, George Smith, Phil Waugh, Brendan Cannon and reinstated centre Stirling Mortlock might feel aggrieved at not making Fitzpatrick's cut.
Although he expected the All Blacks to avenge their 1991 semifinal defeat, Fitzpatrick was still wary of the Wallabies, and warned against complacency.
"No way will Reuben Thorne and the All Blacks be under-estimating the Wallabies. The Aussies are a dogged race and don't lie down easily," he said.
However, if the All Black forwards got the right control, the score could blow out because the New Zealand side were brimming with confidence and firepower.
"Mind you, odd things happen in rugby. I heard Wallabies coach Eddie Jones say he has something different to pull out of the bag for this one.
"It'll be interesting to see exactly what that is.
"A semifinal is a funny time to bring it out for the first time, but the Aussies aren't going to beat the All Blacks playing their same, old game."
- NZPA
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