KEY POINTS:
LYON - World Cup debutants Portugal, the last of the 20 teams to qualify for the tournament, play a dream match against hot favourites New Zealand here on Saturday but face serious humiliation in the process.
New Zealand coach Graham Henry has made 11 changes to the side which hammered Italy 76-14 to face Portugal at the Stade Gerland, with flanker Jerry Collins captaining the side.
With a view to giving all his squad a run-out, Henry has packed the bench with front five forwards, while the Portuguese will also have to cope with Fiji-born try machine Joe Rokocoko on the wing, out to send a message to selectors after being overlooked for the Italy opener.
Prop Carl Hayman said no quarter would be given against a doughty Portugal side that lost their first-ever World Cup game 56-10 against Scotland.
"Everyone's grown-ups here to play rugby," he said. "There's a lot of competition in our team for spots, so easing up is not going to be an issue."
Henry said the game would help develop rugby in the football-mad country of Portugal.
"Portugal will be looking forward to playing the All Blacks, and I hope they'll be a better team for playing us.
"It's important to develop the game globally."
Full-back Leon MacDonald added: "Portugal are pretty brave. They tackle their hearts out. When they play against us they will have confidence that they can compete, like they competed against Scotland."
But in all seriousness, it is difficult to see the All Blacks being at all troubled by Portugal, and the game could quickly descend into the mis-match that has fans wincing in trepidation.
Portugal coach Tomaz Morais made nine changes to the team beaten by Scotland.
Captain and No 8 Vasco Uva, man-of-the-match in the game against the Scottish, retains his place along with prop Ruben Spachuck, lock Goncalo Uva, winger Pedro Carvalho, centre Diogo Mateus and full-back Pedro Leal.
The starting Portugal XV has only two professional players, Goncalo Uva and loose-head prop Andre Silva, who play for Montpellier and Mont-de-Marsan, in the French first and second divisions respectively.
Morais said, however, that his team would not be intimidated.
"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 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 at Lyon on Saturday.
Portugal scrum-half Luis Pissarra said defence and a brave showing were the key.
"On the back of this good match against Scotland, we have also placed pressure on ourselves, we cannot play any bad matches, even against New Zealand. It is vital to maintain our pride.
"We will defend even more! I think everyone among us will have to beat their record for tackles in a match and we will see what happens at the end," he added.
- AFP
