Former All Black captain Zinzan Brooke expects New Zealand to pick itself up off the canvas and come out fighting against France in the playoff for third and fourth.
New Zealand were stunned 22-10 by the Wallabies in the first semi final on Saturday and have since had to cope with criticism of coach John Mitchell and the team of players he selected for the RWC challenge.
Zinzan Brooke spoke to rugbyworldcup.com at a Visa Ambassadors function in Sydney, claiming criticism of the All Blacks, while expected, is unwarranted.
“I back the boys,” the 57 test capped Brooke said. “They have to put the weekend behind them and play this test match against France. It might be difficult but that is what you have to do. The boys are hurting no doubt but they will come back.
“That is what professionals do, they make themselves cope with situations like Thursday.”
Mistaken selections
Prior to the Tournament pundits insisted it was a mistake to leave the likes of Christian Cullen, Andrew Merhtens and Anton Oliver at home in favour of youngsters like Keven Mealamu, Mils Muliaina and Daniel Carter.
These calls dropped off as the All Blacks advanced impressively through the Pool matches, collecting 321 points with a record 46 tries and a differential of plus 233 to finish with the maximum 20 points, including four bonus points from four games.
But cries of a mistake have since resurfaced in the wake of one of the most unexpected Wallaby victories in the history of Trans Tasman rugby encounters.
“New Zealand faced an Australian team in the semi final that cannot play any better than they did on that night,” Brooke said. “France are going to have to show they want it. Unlike Sunday night early on one of the teams is going to have to take the game early.
“Against England neither the French or the English were interested in taking the game early, they played aerial ping pong. It could have gone either way.”
Support for Mitchell
Brooke also threw his considerable political weight behind incumbent coach John Mitchell and the rest of his staff, including logical successor, assistant coach Robbie Deans.
“Of course the press have been highly critical but I think we have made progress,” Brooke said. “I am a bit peeved at the way some people have given it to John Mitchell. He introduced a lot of young guys and for a young team to step up to the plate the way they did.
“Mitchell made his decisions and backed them and it is disappointing the way some guys have given it to him for that.”