KEY POINTS:
There is no hint the All Blacks will rein in their attacking instincts for their sudden-death World Cup quarter-final.
New Zealand ended their sashay through pool play by thumping Romania yesterday to head for their playoff in Cardiff having scored 46 tries in four tests and conceding four.
And while those statistics have been inflated because of their inferior rivals, the All Blacks are not about to alter stride and impose a lower-risk strategy because they have hit the knockout zone.
Coach Graham Henry said: "We have got to express ourselves, our desire is to play a high-quality game and win this tournament."
Before the World Cup, Springboks coach Jake White offered a barbed comment towards the All Blacks, suggesting that the best defensive team would win the sixth global tournament. Henry agreed and added they would need the best attack, too.
The truth may yet be uncovered if the All Blacks and Springboks can stay unbeaten, as they are on opposite sides of the draw and could meet in the final in Paris on October 21.
For now, though, Henry and his selectors have some backline debate to unravel because of injuries to Daniel Carter, Mils Muliaina and Leon MacDonald and the mass of interchangeable players in the squad.
The pack looks straightforward. It is hard to go past Tony Woodcock, Anton Oliver, Carl Hayman, Chris Jack, Ali Williams, Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw and Rodney So'oialo.
The reserves will be the toughest choice, with special interest in Sione Lauaki, who is a power runner, an impact man, but is sloppy at the back of the scrum; and some slow service from halfback Andrew Ellis also impacted on yesterday's backline.
The health of the injured backline trio will have a huge bearing on the eventual combination.
No matter the midfield pairings used in this tournament, there does seem to be a lack of cohesion, and Conrad Smith may be most at risk if all three damaged backs recover.
It seemed the original preference in midfield was for Smith and Luke McAlister, but there has been some uncertainty there and a lack of clout.
Aaron Mauger looked in better nick against a bewildered Romanian side but the selectors have been reluctant to offer a Mauger-Smith axis as a target for heavy runners. Muliaina will play if he is fit and he may re-emerge as the best centre candidate if fullback MacDonald also recovers and Carter cannot shake his calf problem. That would allow Evans to slip into first five-eighths and McAlister to form a stronger link with Muliaina.
Take your pick out of Sitiveni Sivivatu or Joe Rokocoko to play with Doug Howlett on the right wing.
Neither "cousin" seemed ultra-sharp yesterday. They went searching for work and scored tries without looking world-beaters, while Howlett confirmed he is best-suited to the wing. He was as hard-working as ever in a late spell at fullback but he was as edgy there as he was last season at Rustenburg.
"I think the guys are looking forward to the finals, I think they have got strength of character ... strength of mind," said Henry.
"The attitude is great, the spirit is great, we are enjoying the tournament and looking forward to the finals. We have got no complaints at all. We know there are going to be some huge challenges ahead but that is what World Cup rugby is about."
