Rugby: Crucial knockouts begin today

AUCKLAND: Rugby giants New Zealand and Australia both unveiled their teams for the World Cup quarter-finals ahead of what promises to be the most open knockout phase in the tournament’s 24-year history. Ireland and Wales will get the action underway in an eagerly anticipated clash in Wellington today before attention turns to Auckland for another all-European tie involving England and France. “Probably the right eight are left,” said All Blacks coach Graham Henry. “The Ireland and Wales game, I think, will be a beauty.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8^th, 2011.