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France celebrate their 2007 World Cup quarter-final win over the All Blacks - Source: Photosport -
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An All Blacks v France Test match is always a
stirring occasion but who will prevail? Two of tvnz.co.nz's
self-professed rugby geeks share an irreverent take on a possible
winner
Why the All Blacks can win
By Max Bania
The All Blacks are usually rusty in their first hit-out of the season but I can't see that happening in Dunedin. There are simply too many players with points to prove.
All eyes will be on Mils Muliaina's ability to marshall the troops from the back, whilst further inside him, centre Isaia Toeava and first five Stephen Donald will be out to put pressure on injured incumbents Conrad Smith and Dan Carter.
The forward pack has a raw but exciting look to it, with Isaac Ross making his debut alongside veteran Brad Thorn, and a talented back row eager to show their wares on the world stage.
And if the All Blacks need any further motivation for Saturday's game, they need only read the pessimistic, inflammatory drivel spouted by the usual Henry-haters in this week's papers to get their blood boiling.
The French, meanwhile, have erred in their decision to arrive in sunny Dunedin so late in the week.
Evidently the call was made after a chat with ex-Otago halfback Byron Kelleher, but quite why they'd want his advice on matters other than amateur film-making is beyond me.
Test match fever grips Dunedin for a good week before an All Blacks game, and by arriving late the French risk going in cold. Very cold.
Having never before set foot in the House of Pain, they cannot even envisage the horrors that await them.
Howling southerlies, driving rain, plunging temperatures and 30,000 fiendishly-loyal fans, many of them so rugged they'll make Sebastien Chabal look (and feel) like Jonny Wilkinson.
I once made the mistake of supporting an opposition team at a Highlanders game at the 'brook, and I still have the urine stains on my coat to prove it.
I was also present the last time a Northern Hemisphere team visited Dunedin. That was in 2004, when "world champions" England showed up full of bluff and bluster, took one look at the weather and waved the white flag in a pitiful 3-36 loss to a fired up All Blacks side.
The rarefied Carisbrook air does something to the men in black. It invokes a bloodlust that will not be quelled by a competent but limited French side.
Victory certainly won't be enough to avenge the injustices of Cardiff, Mururoa, or the New Wave.
But it'll do for now.
Why France can win
By Chris Matthews
France may not have won a Test match in New Zealand for 15 years but hey, at least they won the ONE that really mattered.
The Les Blues' shock 2007 World Cup quarter-final win underlined once again the All Blacks' wretched tendency to choke on the big occasion while also highlighting France's ability to be about as predictable as a Murray Mexted comment.
So you would think this World Cup result, New Zealand's worst World Cup effort which sent the country into inexplicable mourning, would be incentive enough for Graham Henry's merry men to gain some redemption on Saturday.
Not likely. The All Blacks team to take on France is missing no less than seven of their first choice players and is looking about as strong as your grandmother's custard pudding.
The French have always had the mongrel to gain parity in the forwards and the technical ability to dominate set-pieces but really all they have to do is wait for the All Blacks' untested and unpredictable 10-12-13 axis of Stephen Donald, Ma'a Nonu and Isaia Toeava to self-implode.
From here the counter-attacking ability of the Toulouse trio, fullback Maxime Medard and wingers Cedric Heymans and Vincent Clerc, should be able to capitalise enough to even heat up the coldest of Carisbrook nights.
Speaking of which, the French were right in delaying their arrival to dingy Dunedin.
Some would argue that acclimatising yourself to conditions is imperative before a Test match but in New Zealand's southernmost centre this is definitely not the case. You should turn up as late as possible, play the match and then get the hell out of there.
The bone-chilling conditions do nothing for team morale while a casual walk around Castle Street will only end in tears (or spew if you have a particularly great night). Which all of course isn't great Test match preparation - just ask Jimmy Cowan.
But all these macro forces have nothing on fate. France's first Test win in New Zealand happened at Eden Park in 1979 on Bastille Day and then 15 years later, in 1994 the French pounced twice. And then 15 years later is, wow, now.
I'm sorry All Blacks fans, it was just meant to be.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentJT said on 2009-06-19 @ 22:31 NZDT: Report abusive post
It's amazing really - ever since the ABs choked at the 2007 World Cup I couldn't care less if they lose. And I'm not only one - I've spoken to a number of people that feel the same. The number of Test matches in a season, 14 this year I think, is far too much!
Cann River Bob said on 2009-06-19 @ 19:44 NZDT: Report abusive post
Conrad Smith does not only bring us a world class centre - he also brings us a fourth loose forward. Most kiwis underestimate his contribution but the French know him mainly because they loved his omission from the world cup side they beat. AB's easily this time.
petehill said on 2009-06-19 @ 17:38 NZDT: Report abusive post
Toeava is still in the All Blacks after failing to impress in numerous tests and handling errors at crucial times. Players are still playing out of position. There is no plan B when plan A fails ......... yet you say, ".... Henry excels at ... learning from his mistakes" !!!! Quote of the week I reckon!!!