Portugal coach Tomaz Morais. Photo / Getty Images
ST ETIENNE - It's the World Cup mismatch that has fans wincing in trepidation - Portugal against the mighty All Blacks.
But coach Tomaz Morais says his team will not be intimidated.
The All Blacks were in awesome form on Saturday against Italy, blowing the Six Nations side
away in the first quarter of their opening match before coasting home to win 76-14.
The amateurs of Portugal are playing in their first World Cup and the contrast couldn't be more stark for Saturday's Pool C game in Lyon.
Portugal's Los Lobos had their moments and entertained an appreciative crowd before going down 56-10 to Scotland here on Monday (NZ time).
Yet a massive leap in class and faith is required to face the formidable New Zealanders, who are looking for another world title to add to the only one they captured at home 20 years ago.
"We are talking about a completely different game," said Morais.
"There's no way you can compare them. New Zealand showed what it was made of when it played Italy.
"We won't be scared. We have to have a different attitude. We have shown we are physically prepared for a World Cup.
"We are going to assess our work, assess our injuries. We are going to use the same basis, because I think these players are good enough to face New Zealand."
New Zealand hold the record for most points amassed in a World Cup 145-17 against Japan in South Africa in 1995.
There are many observers who fear that record could be smashed when New Zealand take on Portugal next weekend.
But the Portuguese were feted like heroes despite conceding eight converted tries to the Scots.
The 34,000 crowd hung on every little victory the Portuguese achieved against Scotland and were given prolonged applause after full-time, with the sporting Scots lining up to clap them from the field.
"We are very proud of the game we played. All the players played well and tried hard. We wanted to show that we play with spirit and I think we showed that," Morais said.
"I think this is the best game we have played as a team. But I think the Portugal team still has a long way to go. A lot of tries were scored against us."
- AFP
