Australia and New Zealand have named unchanged teams for Saturday's World Cup semi-final, although the Wallabies have lost utility back Matt Giteau to injury.

The defending champions, who have endured a barrage of criticism for their lacklustre progress through the first round, also bracketed vice-captain and lock David Giffen on the replacements' bench with Daniel Vickerman.

Flanker George Smith, an essential component of the Wallaby side, is expected to play after suffering a shoulder injury.

England coach Clive Woodward will delay his team announcement for Sunday's semi-final against France by 24 hours in the hope that he can name blindside flanker Richard Hill in his starting line-up on Thursday.

Hill has not played since the opening pool match against Georgia and what was first described as a hamstring strain has now lingered for a month.

France will name their side on Wednesday morning with no changes expected from the team who clinically destroyed Ireland in Sunday's quarter-final.

The French, who have based themselves at Bondi Beach for the tournament, found themselves suddenly besieged by the international media on Tuesday now the tournament is confined to Sydney.

PROPAGANDA BATTLE

Frederic Michalak, the most complete flyhalf in the tournament so far, was the centre of attention although he confessed he was sick of fielding questions about the England standoff Jonny Wilkinson.

The propaganda battle, on the Australian side at least, has already started before Saturday's match with coach Eddie Jones suggesting that All Black flyhalf Carlos Spencer could be a liability as well as a match-winner.

"When you put him under pressure, like any player he's liable to make mistakes," Jones said.

Although New Zealand are favourites to win not only Saturday's match but the Cup as well, their management are offering no hostages to fortune.

"We are going to get some challenges thrown at us that we haven't had to date. The most obvious is for us to succeed this weekend we will have to play better than we have up until this point," said assistant coach Robbie Deans on Tuesday.

"The Australians are an intelligent side. They really probe for weaknesses and who knows what they have concocted. You won't know till the day."

New Zealand resisted any temptation to recall vice-captain and centre Tana Umaga, who ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament in the opening game against Italy. Leon MacDonald will again line up alongside Aaron Mauger in the centres.