New Zealand's hopes of defending their IRB Junior World Championship title in Treviso depend on getting past last year's finalists Australia in the semi-final on Wednesday.
Having cruised through their three preliminary matches by beating Italy 64-7, Wales 92-0 and Argentina 48-15, the New Zealanders, known as the Baby Blacks, face an Australian side who beat Tonga 54-7, Fiji 50-25 and who lost to France 25-31. France and England will meet in the other semi-final.
New Zealand coach Mark Anscombe said he has been working hard to keep his side's feet on the ground.
"We know it's going to be a tough game and we have to play well if we are going to get the right result," he said.
The side had the weight of public pressure on it as a result of previous side's being unbeaten but Anscombe was insistent the side had to make their own statement and not live off the reputation of earlier sides.
"The challenge in New Zealand is having had three teams win it, no-one wants to be in the team that doesn't win it, so they are quite a competitive group.
"There is a lot of talent as we know but that isn't always enough and it is about the right attitude, preparation and looking after yourself and getting up for the game," he said.
Australia would be motivated to put last year's loss behind there and with six or seven players in their side from that final, compared to two from New Zealand, there was plenty of motivation to do well.
"I think both teams have different strengths and weaknesses so last year's result means nothing," he said.
First five-eighths Gareth Anscombe said: "They [Australia] might be hungry for revenge, but we are hungry too. It is never an easy challenge against them, but this is a semi-final and there is no second chance so we are hoping we can make the final."
Australian captain Colby Faingaa played in last year's final and has not forgotten the loss.
"They are the best side at this level and have demonstrated it. It is going to be a hard game, but if you want to be the best in the world you have to play the best and over the last four years at Under-20 level that has been them," he said.
"If we want to call ourselves the best then we have to beat them."
Australia would be looking to make a better start than in their last game, against France, when they poured on early points.
"We have worked hard on trying to start a lot better and against New Zealand everyone knows what kind of game and style they play and we are focused on how we are going to play," he said.
"New Zealand play a lot like [France do]. They like to run the ball and both like to try and get that little off-load through a hole and just chase people through. The game they play is quite similar.
"That is ideally the game that we want to play. We are going to try and play free for as long as possible, that is how the game will unfold and New Zealand will come out with the same mentality and it should be a good battle," he said.
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