Injuries...

They have played five weeks of rugby, and the chances of going that long without at least one player getting crocked are slim, and thus, we go into the semi-finals of the 2011 Rugby World Cup with all the sides nursing their boys through.

The biggest loss of the World Cup has to be New Zealand's number 10, Dan Carter. The fly half was set to become New Zealand's man of the hour as fatefully knocked over the final three points in the final on the 23rd - Johnny Wilkinson stylie, not that the All Blacks will want to leave it that late against Wales (or France).

I do feel sorry for him, not because he will miss out on the millions from photos and ads but because you fell this is what this guy has been building towards for a long time. He is his nation's first choice ten and, let's face it, NZ should win the World Cup. Mind, he is a cocky sod, so maybe it is just fate striking.

The other major doubt for the semis is Welsh ten (something about the position methinks) Rhys Priestland, who has, since his wobbly first few minutes against South Africa has grown to become sone of the capital men in Gatland's side. But whilst Wales would dearly love their fly half back he does not leave such a gaping hole as Carter in the All Blacks line. The Welsh have the hugely experienced Simon Jones and the diverse James Hook waiting in the wings to come in to take his place.

This would be an interesting quandary for Gatland. Does he go for the experience of Jones, a move like the Irish swapping Jonathan Sexton for Ronan O'Gara? Jones has beaten France before at ten, and whilst he doesn't have half the cutting power of Hook he provides a solid base at ten for the centres and back three to spin off from.

Hook on the other hand does provide a more cut and thrust option. He picks gaps and attacks the fringes. He will go through gaps and provide Wales a step up beyond the gain line. His kicking may not live up to Jones's but his attacking enough makes up for that.

I think I would go for Jones, Wales have centres for getting them moving, Roberts and Davies with North and Halfpenny flitting in and out and Williams on the wing to finish off the French fringes. I am willing to be proven wrong, as long as the other option is Hook blasting through tackles and feeding his runners not France decimating the links between the three quarters and the backs.

2 days!