Australia's coach, Robbie Deans, has accused his fellow New Zealanders of taking cheap potshots at the Wallabies outside-half Quade Cooper during the World Cup and said that the playmaker has become a stronger character as a consequence of the verbal abuse.
Cooper, who was born in Auckland, was booed throughout Sunday's semi-final with New Zealand and jeered every time he made a mistake, starting with the kick-off which he put into touch on the full.
"It has been tough for a young man," said Deans. "A lot has been said about him and whether he has warranted it is a moot point. There are two ways he can go: absorb it and accept it for what it is but maintain your focus on the things that are important, or you can let it get the better of you and turn your toes up. I would like to think he will not be doing the latter.
"I have been very impressed, actually, with the way he has carried himself. It is easy for people who have no knowledge of the man to take a potshot. A lot of it has been unwarranted but I do not think it has affected his performances.
"The whole group has made mistakes but his have been turned into a sideshow. I am backing him. The entire squad has to get better and Quade is striving to do that on and off the field. He has come on a lot and I have nothing but respect for the way he has carried himself. Graham Henry [the New Zealand coach] does not respect Quade that much judging by his remarks after the semi-final."
Cooper has started all six of Australia's matches and he is set to make it seven in Friday's third-place play-off against Wales at Eden Park, after overcoming a dismal start in the semi-final to finish as one of his side's most impressive performers. Deans said he would make changes to the side, not least because he has injury concerns over a number of players, including the hooker Stephen Moore and the second row Dan Vickerman.
"We have a job to do on Friday and I want to see a good performance," he said. "Perhaps the shackles will come off because it is a play-off, and it would be good to see some tries scored. We would rather be in the final, but it is good to be able to play again."
Wales and Australia, who will meet five times in the next nine months, both have a core of young players, but Deans said he does not think they are a year or two away from being ready for the tournament. "You have to make the most of World Cups when they come around, but I did back France to beat the Welsh because they are an experienced group who have been through a lot together.
"It is hard to look beyond the All Blacks for the World Cup. A core of their squad have suffered in the last couple of tournaments and that has given them fire in their bellies and a real desire, but France regard Eden Park as their spiritual home, so who knows."
Deans said he feels for the Wales captain Sam Warburton, who will miss the play-off after receiving a three-week suspension for a tip tackle on the France wing Vincent Clerc. "I am not part of the judicial process but it is a tough outcome for Sam. He has played some good rugby but he is young enough to go round again. He will be pretty distraught and devastated right now. He is a key part of their group, very influential, and he will be a big loss for them."
The Australia captain, James Horwill, said he feels Wales are one of the teams of the tournament. "They have played some of the best rugby here, along with the All Blacks," he went on. "They play an attacking, entertaining game and have been one of the sides to watch. We have the chance to finish on a positive note after the bitter disappointment of being well beaten by the All Blacks, and that is driving us on.
"The World Cup is a unique tournament. It is different to any rugby I have played before. It is relentless, everything is ramped off and you cannot afford to take your foot off the pedal. You have to be prepared for everything that is thrown at you. The pressure level rises and you have to adapt. We did not do that well enough but we will learn from the experience."
