New Zealand prop Adam Blair says the Kiwis must avoid another slow start if they're to topple England for the second time in as many weeks in the World Cup semi-final on Saturday.

After coming back from a 24-8 deficit after half an hour in their pool match last week, the Kiwis now face a sudden death semi-final with more pressure and infinitely more at stake.

The 36-24 win last week did not change either side's World Cup fortunes but Saturday's clash is for a place in the final and Blair says while the Kiwis are confident in their ability to fight back, they don't want to have to prove it again.

"Definitely we need to come out firing from the start," he said.

"We can't wait for the second half. We need to start putting our bodies in front of their big boys and get them down on the ground.

"In the second half, we just started working as a team and started pushing for each other."

Blair also cited completion rates, the penalty count and defence as other areas for improvement.

"You defend for five tackles and then you give a penalty away and you have to go again," he said.

"We need to show a bit of pride on our line as well. They got a couple of soft tries at the weekend."

Blair, at just 22, is one of the youngsters in a youthful New Zealand pack.

The big, mobile Melbourne frontrower has nine Tests to his name after making his debut in the 2006 Tri Nations, when he got plenty of praise from then-coach Brian McClennan.

He didn't feature for the Kiwis last year during an injury-blighted season but was recalled for the World Cup by new coach Stephen Kearney and has made the starting side in all three matches so far.

"I've started a few times now and I've just tried to play to the best of my ability," he said.

"I've got the opportunity so I want to make the most of it."

Meanwhile, England winger Ade Gardner looks likely to be tasked with stopping Kiwis danger man Manu Vatuvei.

Gardner was rested on the weekend but trained on the right wing during the early part of Tuesday's session that was open to the media.

In Gardner's absence, Lee Smith marked Vatuvei in Newcastle, where the giant Warrior scored a New Zealand World Cup record of four tries in a match.

In the halves, Burrow was paired at the start of training with another player with slick footwork, Danny McGuire, who didn't play against the Kiwis and whose two appearances so far have been off the bench.

The England team began the session with a minute's silence at 11.11am to mark Remembrance Day.

The Kiwis paid the same mark of respect during an excursion to the Gold Coast.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP