THE stage is set. The big four of the Rugby World Cup are preparing for mouth-watering semifinals at the weekend. Two-time defending champions and arguably the most awe-inspiring team of the tournament, the All Blacks, will face a big challenge from a red-hot English side under Eddie Jones, while the resurgent Springboks will lock horns with the Six Nations champions and dark horses Wales in the second semifinal. “You want to be the best in the world, you have to beat the best,” an upbeat Jones remarked as his side geared up for the big battle. In the second semifinal, Wales will chase their maiden World Cup dream against two-time former champions South Africa. Their nail-biting one-point quarterfinal win over 14-man France came as a big morale-booster and Warren Gatland’s boys are looking forward to writing history. Gatland, who is set to bring the curtain down on his successful 12-year spell as coach after the tournament, said, “We’re excited about being where we are now. “If you’re in a semifinal of a World Cup captain Alun Wyn Jones has been saying ‘it’s 240 minutes to do something you will remember for the rest of your life.’ Well, we’re down to 160 now.” However, the Boks are known for being the toughest nut to crack and since their opening game defeat, they have bounced back in the tournament quite strongly. Rassie Erasmus’s side not only won every game since their All Blacks defeat in Yokohoma but also scored quite heavily and hands down. More importantly, they handsomely thwarted the inspirational hosts, Japan, from causing yet another upset in the tournament and a repeat of the Miracle of Brighton in Sunday’s quarterfinal.(SD-Agencies) |