Hogg keen to face All Blacks

With the crunch Pool C showdown with Italy scheduled for only six days later, Hogg could make the line-up after impressing with a hat-trick of tries against Romania in Edinburgh.

He said: "Everyone wants to play in the big games. That's why you play the game - to test yourself against the best and they are arguably the best back row in the world."

In particular Hogg would relish the challenge of again facing opposite number Richie McCaw, probably the most influential player in the tournament.

Alongside the All Blacks captain are likely to be hard man Jerry Collins and rapidly maturing number eight Rodney So'oialo as coach Graham Henry seeks an exacting work-out for his all-conquering side before the quarter-finals.

Hogg said: "It's a game everyone wants to play in. We played them at Murrayfield a few years ago and that was enjoyable, although we didn't manage to win.

"They didn't have their full side out that day, whereas I think they will on Sunday. I played against McCaw in that game, but Collins and So'oialo weren't playing."

Hogg was delighted with his hat-trick and also with the performance of the whole team as they move into the make-or-break games which have loomed ever since the draw for the pools was made.

He said: "I was really pleased with the tries obviously. The first was a great effort from the forwards, the second was down to Mike Blair and Simon Taylor, and the third was just a good winger's try out wide."