Tokyo (AFP)

Be it behind, with the duel of Farrell and Beauden Barrett and May-Bridge, or in front of, with the big arm shock Itoje and Retallick, the World Cup semi-final between England and New Zealand, Saturday in Yokohama, promises to spark.

+ Farrell-Barrett, the displaced

They are no longer playing at the same position, Farrell having been moved from the opening to the center for this shock while Barrett left his post of N.10 this summer for the back, even if he happens to position first attacker. Two decisions by coaches to make room respectively for George Ford English side and Richie Mo'unga for the Blacks.

These two strategic decisions were made to take advantage of the game at the foot of Mo'unga and Ford, while retaining on the field that of two masters to play, born in 1991 four months apart. And opposed in 2011 in the world championship U20, won by New Zealand beating in the final England.

Either the quality of acceleration, recovery, and the game at the foot of Barrett (28 years, 81 sel.), Which is also provided Farrell (28 years, 77 sel). The captain of England also has a laser pass and a big defense activity. Finally, he is the scorer of his team, while Barrett is no longer since Mo'unga broke into the starting XV.

+ May-Bridge, the wingers

Socks often dropped on shapely calves, they frighten statistics. May, more slender (1.88 m, 90 kg), thus scored, in the quarterfinals against Australia (40-16) a doubled to bring, at only 24, his total of tests to 27 in 50 selections. Afterwards, what is more, to remain silent during his first seven capes.

Outstanding finisher at the impressive speed peak, workaholic, the English Hound will deliver a remote duel with Bridge (1.86 m, 96 kg), also 24 years old, but who has just hatched on the international scene.

The Crusaders winger had the first of his eight selections in November 2018, but since then he has been driving the odds, pushing back Rieko Ioane, the sensation of the last two years, on the bench: nine tries, one against Ireland in the previous round (46-14) .de

+ Itoje-Retallick, the warriors

He came back on time. After dislocating one shoulder at the end of July, Brodie Retallick (28 years old, 79 caps) raced against the clock to compete in the World Cup. Bet successful, and even ahead, since the second line, which initially aimed a return to the quarter-finals, could be tested for thirty minutes in the third group game against Namibia (71-9) , before the start of serious things.

The coach Steve Hansen has never considered the slightest moment without the man to whom the denture gives a frightening resemblance to "Shark", one of the recurring villains of the James Bond. Retallick has no steel teeth, but nevertheless inspires fear to his opponents, with his outsized size (2.04 m, 123 kg). But it combines ferocity, qualities of jump in touch, ability to move and technique that make the prototype of the second line modern.

This alloy allowed him to be voted best player of the world in 2014, year when Maro Itoje (24 years, 32 selections) was still only a promise. But the Saracens player could (should?) Succeed Retallick on the list as he climbed the steps four to four since his international debut. Also formidable fighter in touch, less massive (1.95 m, 115 kg) but more versatile and enduring (he can also play third line), Itoje was launched in February 2016 by the coach Eddie Jones. With this promise to turn "a Vauxhall Viva (modest car) into BMW". Saturday, he will rub a Ferrari.

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