Super highlights

TODAY

POOL D

Italy v Canada Canberra, 10.30pm

The chance for the Canadians to open their account but it won't be easy against John Kirwan's Italians, who have targeted this as a must-win game if they are to stay in the running.

Herald tip: The Italians - with a pizza in each hand.

ALSO ...

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"I expect them to be a little more sophisticated than us and just as adventurous as hot-blooded Continentals can be."

- Canadian coach Dave Clark ahead of tonight's big game.

BACK TO ROOTS

Former Wallaby No 8 Toutai Kefu (above) has expressed interest in coaching Tonga when he finishes his playing career in Japan.

Kefu, forced out of the Wallabies' World Cup defence because of neck and shoulder injuries, was born in Tonga and moved to Brisbane with his family when he was aged 4.

Although Kefu has signed with Japanese club Kubota for three years with a two-year option, he is already planning to live in Tonga for a year with his family when he retires.

"It is definitely an option down the track," said Kefu, who will present the Tongans with their jerseys before their Pool D match with the All Blacks in Brisbane on Friday.

Tonga is at present coached by former New Zealand Maori and Marlborough lock Jim Love.

NOT SO CLEAR-CUT

World Cup-winning captain Nick Farr-Jones says weekend results have him rethinking his pre-tournament prediction of an England and New Zealand final.

"Two months ago I wrote this event was looking very black and white as England and New Zealand dominated the domestic season," Farr-Jones wrote in a column for Sydney's Daily Telegraph. "The wind is ever so slowly starting to shift, through injury worries and less-than-compelling form.

"The Wallabies' confidence is returning and their momentum growing."

BABY BOUNCER

All Black Ben Blair has one consolation as injury forces him out of the tournament - he'll be home in time to see his first child born.

Blair's girlfriend, Alexis Van Der Plas, 20, is due to give birth around November 25.

Blair, 24, said he had hoped to fly home for the birth anyway, but his early departure would ensure he was there.

"Mitch [coach John Mitchell] said I could go home for the birth - it was just a matter of timing and Alexis getting induced. But now I don't have to worry about all that."

Blair expects to fly back to New Zealand today or tomorrow after being ruled out of the cup with a prolapsed disc in his neck.