For All Black prop Greg Somerville, it’s all about “getting back on the horse” for this Thursday’s third play off against France.
The 25 year old said the bitter disappointment of losing to the Wallabies in Saturday’s semi final weighs heavily on the New Zealand camp, but the players are glad for the chance to redeem themselves against Les Bleus.
“This game’s a big one for us because it’s really important we don’t finish here with two losses in a row.
We really want to do as well as we can after last week’s performance and get out there and show what we’re made of.
”It’s a Test match and I will prepare for it like I do any other.”
Strongest line up
All Black coach John Mitchell has signalled this fierce determination to atone by naming a full strength line up.
Australian born half back Steve Devine is the only change to the starting line up, in for an injured Justin Marshall.
In contrast France have 13 changes from the side beaten 24-7 by England in the other semi final, among them inspirational captain Fabien Galthie (retired) and world class openside flanker Olivier Magne (dropped to the bench).
Somerville believes the number of new players could serve to strengthen France’s cause.
“They will probably be really excited about the chance they’ve been given and they’ll be really fresh, unlike the guys who got bashed about in the game against England.
“France have a lot of classy players in their squad and will be really tough to beat.”
Somerville admitted to feeling a bit “tired and sore” himself after the bruising encounter with the Wallabies.
“I’ll just really have to look after the body over the next couple of days.”
Emotional recovery
But emotional wounds often take much longer to heal than physical ones.
As best as Somerville is trying to put the semi final heartache behind him in the lead in to Thursday’s match, he admits it is there “in the back of my mind”.
“I know I can’t afford to dwell on it but I do lie in bed and think about it. I sort of think ‘s***, did that really happen.’”
The All Blacks are flying back to New Zealand on Friday.
Despite the fact the team can expect a less than welcoming reception from some sectors of the press and public, Somerville said he’s looking forward to going home.
“I’d be pretty naive to think there won’t be any reaction at home. People there are pretty proud of the All Blacks and they would have taken it (the loss) really hard.
“But I’ve been away from home for a while and it will be nice to see what’s been going on there since I’ve been away. It will also be nice to live out of a drawers and a wardrobe again rather than suitcases.”
Surprising support
Despite the disappointment of last Saturday Somerville said the team have received a lot of faxes of support from home over the week.
He said many fans appreciated the exciting attacking style the All Blacks brought to the RWC and realised they were beaten by a very good and motivated Australian side with everything to prove on their home ground.
“We were always confident we had the game (against Australia) and confident we had the team to beat them. But the Wallabies had been written off all week by everyone and they came out fired up.
“I know myself when we’ve been written off all week before (the match against) South Africa we had a bit of that. I think it added a bit to the Wallabies cause.”
And so for a prediction for the final?
“I can see it going either way. But the Wallabies are a really good attacking side that can score a few tries if they can handle England up front.”