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MONTPELLIER - Former All Blacks halfback Justin Marshall believes the Wallabies are the only team capable of over-running New Zealand at the rugby World Cup.
Marshall, injured in Australia's 2003 semifinal upset in Sydney, delivered high praise to the Wallabies by saying the Webb Ellis Cup would go
to the winner of the corresponding 2007 play-off.
The on-song All Blacks and Australia, the only team to beat the All Blacks this year, are on a collision course for an October 14 (NZ time) semifinal showdown at Stade de France.
"I think the two that can win it are Australia and New Zealand," said Marshall, an interested spectator at an All Blacks training session in Aix-en-Provence today.
"New Zealand are a notch above Australia and Australia a notch above South Africa.
"The World Cup could be decided by the semifinal if the two meet there.
"I've been impressed by South Africa, but don't think they will win it. Everyone is talking about their win over England, but how good were England?"
The Wallabies are licking their lips at the prospect of meeting England, 36-0 losers to the Springboks, in the quarterfinals to deliver some payback for the painful 2003 final loss in extra-time.
The Swansea-based Marshall, NZ's second most capped player with 81 tests from 1995-2005, had his ribs broken in the 2003 semifinal in a controversial George Smith tackle.
He rated the current All Blacks a much better combination than the 2003 model due to four years of development under Graham Henry, compared with the mere two under John Mitchell.
The All Blacks have scored the most tries in the tournament with 27 in lop-sided wins over Italy and Portugal but are in danger of entering a cut-throat quarterfinal, possibly against France, without playing a tough match.
The world No 1's next match will be a second-string Scotland outfit on Monday with the Scots to rest their best players for a play-off decider against Italy.
"We expect our toughest match of the pool against Scotland and we're looking forward to it," Henry said.
Meantime, the Wallabies have named a strong side to play Fiji in Montpellier on Sunday with a win guaranteeing them top spot in pool B and a likely quarter-final with England.
Among the three changes, Stirling Mortlock's replacement at centre Adam Ashley-Cooper (toe) still has to prove his fitness.
Marshall's long-time sparring partner George Gregan has regained the captaincy while Phil Waugh and Mark Chisholm have been promoted to the starting pack.
Unbeaten Fiji will field an understrength team with coach Ilie Tabua resting his best men for a sudden-death pool match against Wales on September 30.
"Now we play Australia and Wales and we'll have to throw the house as well as the sink at them," Tabua said.
- AAP
