Wallabies' centre Adam Ashley-Cooper has been receiving a hard time from his teammates over his celebratory antics during the quarter-final victory over the Springboks, but he's just happy to finally put the pain of Australia's quarter-final exit in the 2007 World Cup behind him.
Colin Slade turned 24 today, but celebrations won't be on the agenda after his World Cup was cut short by a groin injury.
OPINION: Goodbye pragmatism, hello ambition. New Zealand, Australia, France and Wales, the four countries to qualify for the World Cup semifinals, all have one thing in common - they have embraced the running game rather than relying on boring the opposition to death.
The All Blacks don't really do upsets at Eden Park but Argentina threatened a monumental shock before they were finally subdued 33-10 tonight. Now a semi-final against Australia at the same venue awaits Graham Henry's rattled men in seven days.
Pride and passion don't win rugby games on their own but they play a part and Argentina prop Marcos Ayerza has promised plenty of both in the World Cup quarter-final clash against the All Blacks.
First-fives are at a premium in New Zealand at the moment but further along the backline the All Blacks have players lining up on the wing.
Two of the All Blacks' most feared words - "knockout game'' - were uttered by assistant coach Steve Hansen today, but the players and management will be happy with their progress as they move towards the business end of the World Cup.
Sam Whitelock is hitting form at just the right time for the All Blacks, thanks in part to a 10-week stint on the sidelines for the Crusaders in this year's Super 15.
Thomas Waldrom thought he was going into a review meeting with his Leicester club when coach Richard Cockerill told him: "Pack your bags, you're on your way to New Zealand''.
Two drinking controversies at the World Cup, two completely different ways of handling the fallout.
Mike Petri of the US scores a try during their Rugby World Cup Pool C match against Russia at Stadium Taranaki in New Plymouth. Photo by Reuters.
Welcome to the World Cup, Russia. The debutants finally got their tournament under way tonight only to fall just short to arch-rivals USA at Stadium Taranaki.
Canada dug in for a remarkable 25-20 victory over Tonga at the Northland Events Centre today, their win owing as much to a late try to wing Phil MacKenzie as their belief in their game plan.
Ireland is getting a hard time at home over its recent performances but fullback Geordan Murphy is confident the critics will be silenced in the eagerly anticipated match against Australia at Eden Park on Saturday night.
Australia appears to be easing its way slowly into this World Cup but David Pocock has acknowledged that only an 80-minute performance will do against Ireland at Eden Park on Friday night.
Injured All Blacks No8 Kieran Read has delivered a boost to the selectors with the news his sprained ankle is progressing better than expected.
