KEY POINTS:
LYON - The call from the New Zealand management for the team to show some "sensitivity" in Saturday's Pool C match against a largely amateur Portugal side has been given short shrift by the All Black squad.
With quarter-final places up for grabs, the players have made it
clear they will be approaching the game just like any other test match and will attempt to raise standards after their 76-14 destruction of Italy in their opening match last weekend.
"There's no taking it easy where I come from," prop Greg Somerville told reporters before the game in Lyon.
"Do that in the front row and you get pushed around and you're not a chance for the week after. There's no holding back really. If we want to achieve what we've set out to do then you've got to commit yourself fully."
Hooker Anton Oliver, who will be starting on the bench, agreed with Somerville's approach to Saturday's game.
"I think Portugal are pretty good at scrumming and it is almost patronising to think otherwise. We have to go at the same intensity as when we are playing Australia or South Africa and we have to have the same mental processes."
But the 32-year-old admitted that little would be gained by racking up a cricket score against their unfancied opponents.
"I don't think big scores are good for anyone. They're not good for the team who receives them, they're not good for the team that dishes it out and I don't think it's that great for rugby in general.
"Participation and spreading the word is great ... but you don't want to see scores over 50, 60 or 70."
CHANGES
Coach Graham Henry has made 11 changes to the team that brushed Italy aside, bringing in a new halfback pairing of Brendon Leonard and Nick Evans and resting skipper Richie McCaw.
The talented Conrad Smith has been given a chance to prove himself at centre after missing the opener because of injury, while prolific wing Joe Rokocoko gets his first run-out of the tournament.
Opponents Portugal may have lost their opening pool game 56-10 to Scotland, but "Os Lobos" (the wolves) impressed many with their proud and combative display against the Six Nations side.
"I expected much more from Scotland," said try scorer Pedro Carvalho. "When we came on to the field we weren't intimidated. When it was 28-10 at halftime, we even had thoughts of winning."
Coach Tomaz Morais said they were aware they would have a far tougher time against the All Blacks.
"We are talking about a completely different game," he said. "There's no way you can compare them. New Zealand showed what they were made of when they played Italy.
"We won't be scared, but we have to have a different attitude."
- REUTERS
