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LYON - Portugal's players admit that some of their childhood heroes were often players wearing All Blacks jerseys, but come Saturday's game between the Kiwi heavyweights and World Cup debutant minnows, all such thoughts will be cast aside.
"I've been watching the All Blacks since my childhood," said second row forward Goncalo Uva.
"We respect them and sometimes worship them because of the way they play rugby.
"We have to put it to one side, play them and compete, this is the rugby World Cup.
"This World Cup is a good moment, this game too, but I'm not going to ask for All Blacks autographs after the game."
Uva will be competing against a duo in Ali Williams and Chris Jack who are arguably one of the world's most complete lock pairings.
"I just have to think, 'It's not Chris Jack, it's just another big guy'," he said.
"A lot of people are looking at us. It will give us great pleasure to show them how good we can be against New Zealand.
"We've had a lot of support from the media and the country, and also from expatriates in France.
"It's the greatest moment for Portugal rugby."
Hooker Joao Correia vowed to stand and face the traditional pre-match haka, unlike the Italians, who huddled into a group and seemed to miss out on the electric vibe the Maori war dance instilled in a revved-up New Zealand team.
The All Blacks came out steaming, captain Richie McCaw ploughing over for a try with barely a minute gone and the team notching up four more converted touchdowns in the first quarter for an unassailable lead on the way to a 76-14 thrashing.
"It would be a lack of respect not to look at the haka," said Correia.
"Besides, you wouldn't want to miss the moment. We respect it. We'll look, but after that, we'll play our game as competitors."
His view was echoed by Paris-born prop Andre Silva, who has just signed for French second division club Mont-de-Marsan and is one of only three professional players in the match-day squad of 22.
"We're all ready to watch the haka," he said. "We've waited for so many years for it in Portugal.
"And no, none of the 30 players in the Portugal squad are scared of the All Blacks," he added.
"We know the All Blacks are superior physically. But we want to show our human values and a courageous Portugal team.
"All of France is talking about the New Zealand v Portugal game and we don't want to let down all the people who come to the stadium.
"We want to take pride in our little Portugal team."
Coach Tomaz Morais said the game was a historic moment in the traditionally football-mad nation, and played down talk of the All Black scrum easing off should the Portugal front five be suffering under the combined yoke of their rivals.
"It's very important for Portugal to be at the World Cup. It's a historic moment for Portugal rugby, the players and officials, and all Portuguese people," he said.
"We have a good scrum, and there will probably be no problems.
"The props have good technique, so it depends on their courage," he said, amiably slapping the back of Silva, who responded with a knowing wink.
- AFP
