Heinz: All Blacks game must be the England blueprint
RUGBY: Willi Heinz refuses to place limitations on England’s potential in the belief the World Cup semi-final rout of New Zealand can be repeated on a consistent basis.
The post-Japan era begins against France in Paris on Sunday when Eddie Jones’ title favourites aim to launch their Six Nations with a statement performance that proves the 32-12 defeat by South Africa in the Yokohama showpiece was an aberration.
A round earlier, the All Blacks were overwhelmed in one of the finest occasions in the nation’s rugby history and Heinz insists that famous day must serve as England’s aspirational target.
“The New Zealand game is the blueprint for how we want to play the game. It’s definitely repeatable,” said the Gloucester scrumhalf. “There are no limits to how hard you can work, there are no limits to the intent and energy you can bring to a game.
“The challenge for this group is this... teams who have been World Cup runners-up in the past, history shows they haven’t performed that well in the years afterwards.
“We’re well aware of that now. It’s about the players in this group not putting any limits on themselves. We know we can’t waste days and have to hit the ground running in the Six Nations.”
Solid form for Gloucester upon his recovery has propelled Heinz into contention to start the France showdown as he resumes his duel with Ben Youngs for the No.9 shirt.
TENNIS: Roger Federer went into his Australian Open semifinal against Novak Djokovic giving himself a “three per cent” chance of victory and branded the experience “horrible”.
Djokovic will contest a record eighth final at Melbourne Park on Sunday after a 7-6 (1) 6-4 6-3 victory over his old rival.
It was their 50th meeting, with Djokovic now leading 27-23, but this had a very different feel to most of those given there were doubts over whether Federer would even take to the court after two bruising contests against John Millman and Tennys Sandgren.
“Today was horrible,’’ said Federer. “Nice entrance, nice send-off, and in between is one to forget because you know you have a three per cent chance to win.”
Djokovic can close to within three slams of Federer if he beats either Dominic Thiem or Alexander Zverev in the final.
Garbine Muguruza will face Sofia Kenin in a surprise women’s final after both caused upsets.
Kenin broke Australian hearts with a 7-6 (6) 7-5 victory over world No.1 Ashleigh Barty. Muguruza then won the battle of the two-time grand slam champions 7-6 (8) 7-5 against Simona Halep.