Europe leads the way in Rugby W. Cup semi-finals

For France and Wales the wait is almost over, with the European rivals set to kickoff a weekend of World Cup semi-final action at Eden Park on Saturday. But New Zealand and Australia face an especially nervous day ahead of their match at the Auckland ground on Sunday. The All Blacks will be desperate to avoid yet another injury to a frontline player while the Wallabies give full-back Kurtley Beale as much time as possible to recover from a hamstring problem. While there have been some sparky exchanges in the build-up to the clash between trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand and Australia, the French and the Welsh have, it seems, been trying to 'kill with kindness' ahead of their match. France No 8 Imanol Harinordoquy labelled Wales the "All Blacks of the North" while Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards insisted a French side renowned for being brilliant one week and bad the next, could 'back-up' their sweeping 19-12 quarter-final win over England. Wales have been forced into making a change with James Hook taking over at fly-half from Rhys Priestland (shoulder). France coach Marc Lievremont -- the only non Kiwi boss left in the tournament -- was able to confirm on Friday the first unchanged team of what will be his 43 game reign this Saturday, when scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili was passed fit following a thigh injury But he saw no problems for Wales in Hook replacing Priestland. "He's more of an all-round player, more experienced, and experience at this level is very important when you see the youth in the Wales team." Making up for previous World Cup disappointment is a powerful incentive and Lievremont, a member of the side that lost the 1999 final to Australia, urged his side to use the hurt of previous losses to their advantage as they bid to become the first France team to win the World Cup. "The England match wasn't enough, we need anger at ourselves so that we don't miss this opportunity to win a World Cup semi-final." Wales too have never won the tournament and this weekend sees them in a first semi-final for 24 years. But in their case, a lack of historical baggage, with no shadows still being cast for a youthful side led by 23-year-old flanker Sam Warburton by the great Wales teams of the 1970s, is working in their favour, according to forwards coach Robin McBryde. "Because of the youth in the squad, we're relatively unburdened by the pressure of expectancy," McBryde said. The same cannot be said for New Zealand, whose renowned All Blacks have won the World Cup just once, when the country also hosted the inaugural 1987 edition. They go into Sunday's match with star openside flanker Richie McCaw nursing a foot injury and having to field third-choice fly-half Aaron Cruden, who will be making only his second Test start, after groin injuries ruled out both Dan Carter and Colin Slade. "It's probably the biggest game these guys have played in 10 years," said All Blacks coach Graham Henry. Meanwhile novice playmaker Cruden insisted he was ready. "I will just go out there and be Aaron Cruden and express myself and play my natural game." Getting on the field could be an issue for Beale, bracketed with utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper in the Australia team announced Friday. "We will leave it as long as we can before making a decision," said Wallaby coach Robbie Deans. "It will be tough on Kurtley if he has to miss this one, but we will take no chances," added theformer All Black, who insisted he'd no divided loyalties. Australia haven't won at Eden Park since 1986. But Deans, having seen his team stun defending champions South Africa last week, focused instead on the special nature of the World Cup, where the Wallabies have twice defeated the All Blacks in the semi-finals. "It (Eden Park) is a tough place to play, and those are impressive numbers for sure, but they don't matter once Sunday night's match kicks off. "Rugby World Cup elimination matches are stand alone contests. The pressure is divided equally on both sides as there is no tomorrow."