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Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard victim of All Blacks coach Graham Henry's bad joke at RWC press conference
The transTasman faux pas in the countdown to Sunday's World Cup semifinal showdown against the Wallabies in Auckland was a word fumble as the longtime Kiwi coach was asked about his rivalry with Australian coach Robbie Deans.
When asked about the battle in the coach's box with Deans, who had coveted the All Blacks coaching job for 2008, Henry tried a little comedy to lightened the mood of a pressured buildup to the match.
Only when prompted from the sidelines could Henry fill in the blank with the name of the Australian PM who traded jerseys and had a wager with Kiwi counterpart John Key on Sunday's result.
The leader of the losing country will eat the apples of the winning country after a bet at the Pacific Forum in Auckland at the start of the tournament when export of apples was discussed.
"It could be Mrs Gillard coaching [the Wallabies] you know, Henry said in trying to emphasis that the semifinal was not the Graham v Robbie show.
"Its one team playing another team in a game of sport."
When asked how Prime Minister Gillard would fare as coach on Sunday, Henry kept up the banter with advice on the Australian leader to plough on as he has as an eightyear coach of the All Blacks through highs and lows.
"I reckon she is improving actually. Experience helps.
Henry's diversion was the byplay on the morning that the All Blacks unveiled their side for what he called "probably the biggest game these guys have played for 10 years".
Sonny Bill Williams is on the bench as a super sub, as Henry tagged him, with Richard Kahui and Cory Jane as the frontline wingers and the established duo of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith in the centres.
Henry said he was confident young callup Aaron Cruden was ready for the big night just two weeks after sitting on the couch watching the World Cup from outside the squad when Dan Carter and Colin Slade were still fit.
"Very seldom are people the finished product in their first outing (Cruden's Test debut was against Australia just last year). He has improved with age and experience," Henry said.
Henry was unperturbed that skipper Richie McCaw will take little part in training today as well with the lingering foot injury he has carried through the World Cup.
"The more we keep him off it, the more chance he has of playing 80 minutes on Sunday," Henry said.
Piri Weepu is at halfback and will be the All Blacks' starting goalkicker.
All Blacks: Israel Dagg, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Maa Nonu, Cory Jane, Aaron Cruden, Piri Weepu, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (c), Jerome Kaino,[url=http://www.holisteroutlet.cc]hollister france[/url], Brad Thorn, Sam Whitelock, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Owen Feanks. Res: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Ali Williams, Victor Vito, Andy Ellis, Stephen Donald, Sonny Bill Williams.