New Zealand coach Graham Henry said the prospect of the All Blacks facing Kiwi heartbreakers France in the opening match of the 2011 Rugby World Cup was “intriguing”.

The two nations have been drawn alongside each other in the pool phase, reviving memories of two dramatic World Cup clashes.

Last year France defeated New Zealand in the quarter-finals with a 20-18 win in Cardiff, having ended the hopes of a Jonah Lomu inspired All Black side with an even more improbable 43-31 victory at Twickenham in 1999.

But the losers of their next World Cup clash are still likely to have a good chance of remaining in the tournament and could face England in the last eight.

Tri-Nations champions New Zealand are the world’s number one ranked side and they have just completed a grand slam of wins over the four home unions of Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England without conceding a try.

However, the fact remains they’ve won the World Cup just once when they staged the inaugural tournament in 1987.

As with many of the subsequent editions, the All Blacks are on course to be the favourites in 2011 and the prospect of failing to lift the trophy on their home soil is not one many Kiwi fans will want to dwell on for too long.

“It is three years away, and a lot can happen in three years – teams get stronger and teams deteriorate,” said Henry, following Monday’s draw for the 20-team tournament.

“The France versus All Blacks aspect in the pool is intriguing and will create a lot of interest. That is what we want in the game.

“It’s nice to meet them in a pool game when not everything depends on winning.

“If it’s a France-New Zealand opener to the tournament then great, give it profile.”

© AFP 2012

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