LONDON, 23 Oct - Andy Robinson believes English autumnal rain could affect New Zealand's chances against South Africa in tomorrow's semi-final at Twickenham. 
Rain is forecast for the afternoon kick-off, which sees World Cup favourites New Zealand, who stormed to a 62-13 victory against France in the quarter-finals, take on a South African outfit that sneaked past Wales 23-19 thanks to a late try from captain Fourie du Preez.
Speaking exclusively to World Rugby TV this week, Robinson said the weather could be a decisive factor in the all-southern hemisphere clash.
"New Zealand have been very lucky so far," he said. "They've had three games in the Millennium Stadium under a closed roof."
"You saw at the end of the Australia game that the rain came down. Is the rain and wind going to affect New Zealand's chances in this World Cup?"

LINE SPEED

New Zealand were impressive with ball in hand against France, dotting down nine times on the Cardiff turf, and Robinson, who coached Scotland at RWC 2011, highlighted South Africa's defence as another key area on Saturday.
"New Zealand go in as favourites as they are the best team in the world and they proved that last week in their demolition of France," he said.
"So South Africa have got to get good line speed. They've got to be physical in the way that they knock New Zealand to the floor and they've got to get in their faces for the whole 80 minutes.
"It's going to take a huge defensive effort from South Africa and I am really excited to see whether they can step it up this weekend."

RWC ENCOUNTERS

Defending champions New Zealand go into Saturday's game, which kicks off at 16:00 BST, looking to become the first country to win successive Webb Ellis Cups.
But South Africa have the edge over the All Blacks in RWC matches, having beaten them on two of the three occasions they've met.
The Springboks were victorious in the 1995 final at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, and again in the 1999 bronze final in Cardiff.
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New Zealand, however, had a convincing win in their most recent RWC encounter, a 29-9 victory in the 2003 quarter-final in Australia.
Aside from defensive duties, Robinson believes that the Springboks will need to maximise the power of their rolling maul to overcome the All Blacks.
"A big part of South Africa's game is their rolling maul (above), but they've not really got it going in this championship," he said.
"It's vital for them to establish that. If they can throw the ball in from the line-out to Eben Etzebeth or Lood de Jager, create the maul and get it going forward, they will put New Zealand under huge pressure."
RNS lg/ig