McBryde: Looking forward to game

A crowd of around 60,000 is expected to pack into the Millennium Stadium for Saturday's 9am kick-off, which could be more than watch the game live at Auckland's Eden Park.

Wales dominated the Five Nations through the 1970s and finished third at the inaugural World Cup in 1987 - but this team has already been labelled as the best ever by the legendary Gerald Davies.

Despite all that adulation, forwards coach McBryde said: "The only weight and expectation we have on our shoulders is the pressure we put on ourselves.

"Because of the youth in the squad we are relatively unburdened by the pressures of expectancy and we are happy with it.

"It is the same mindset as we took into the game against Ireland last week.

"When you see the blend of youth and experience we have in the squad, it is much a case of enjoying the moment. We are not putting any limits on our potential."

The message in the squad this week has been for the players to forget that Saturday's showdown is for a place in the World Cup final and just consider it to be another Wales-France encounter.

That alone is tough enough, without the need to ramp up the pressure within the squad and McBride believes his young charges are in a good place.

"This big wave of momentum we have gained in the competition just keeps things going. Hopefully we can keep it going in the next two matches," McBryde said.

It is the captain Sam Warburton, the youngest skipper at the tournament, who has set the tone for the new generation.

"You know when you are in somebody's company, the composure and the way he handles himself on and off the field, you know he is special," said McBryde.

"To have that composure on the field, to make the right decisions and he has never been one to be too reactive. He has a good balance and he likes to get away from rugby when he can, which has not been easy on this trip.

"He leads by example. Some captains feel they have to change completely when they are handed the role, talking at every opportunity, and gladly he has had some sound advice.

"He leads from the front with his performances. He speaks quietly and everyone leans in to listen."

There is no-one in the squad more laid back than Toby Faletau, the number eight whose outlook on life is virtually horizontal until he picks up a rugby ball.

Faletau's direct opponent will be the French number eight Imanol Harinordoquy, who is appearing in his third World Cup semi-final and is yet to win one.

But the 20-year-old is no respector of reputation.

"He is a good player, he has been a good player for a while now," said Faletau.

"I am not intimidated by anybody. I will go on the pitch and have a go against him."

Faletau's parents flew into Auckland today. His father, Kuli, played for Tonga at the 1999 World Cup.

"It is nice to have them over," he said.