Read will be fine: Hansen

‘‘One hundred per cent.’’

By uttering those words All Blacks coach Steve Hansen blew away fears captain Kieran Read would be scratched from the World Cup semifinal against England in Yokohama on Saturday night.

The non-appearance of Read at training on a wet morning yesterday in Tokyo could have led to all sorts of speculation – many All Blacks fans will still recall how a broken foot put former skipper Richie McCaw’s tournament in jeopardy.

Then Hansen killed the rumour before it could grow by emphatically stating there was a 100 per cent chance he would be fit to play.

‘‘There is no issue,’’ Hansen said. ‘‘You are right, you didn’t see him train because he was in the gym on the bike.

‘‘He got a tight calf out of the game the other day. We just weren’t prepared to put him on the track today – on a wet track.’’

It’s bad news for openside flanker Matt Todd, however.

A shoulder injury, he dislocated it before the first game in Japan, means he’s no chance of being picked for the semi and Shannon Frizell is expected to be listed on the bench in his absence.

‘‘But he [Todd] should he available if we are lucky enough to play again next week,’’ Hansen noted.

Hansen, who will name his team to play England tomorrow, is expected to unveil the same side that started the 46-14 demolition of Ireland in the quarterfinal.

Last November the All Blacks were fortunate to shade England 16-15 in London, only because their flanker, Sam Underhill, had a try ruled out in the dying minutes. Hansen said both teams had advanced their games since that match.

He said Eddie Jones had also tinkered with England’s strategies since the teams last met.

‘‘It’s a part of history, but I don’t think it will have too much to do with what’s going to happen on Saturday.’’

■ If the scores are locked at fulltime in Yokohama, extra time of 10 minutes each way will be played. If, after that, the scores are still the same 10 minutes of sudden death will be played.

And if the scores are still tied, a kicking duel between five men from each side will be staged to determine a winner.

Asked if he was confident the All Blacks will be prepared for

such an outcome, lock Sam Whitelock replied in the affirmative.

However, Hansen thought it unlikely the game will be decided by a kicking contest after two extra periods.

‘‘Have we prepared for it? Yes, that would be the answer to that question. You would be foolish if you didn’t prepare for it.

‘‘But I would be highly surprised that after 80 minutes, an extra 10 minutes each way and then another 10 minutes. By that stage there will be bugger all people standing, that someone hasn’t scored some points.

‘‘But funnier things happened, haven’t they?’’ have