New Zealand take on France in the Rugby World Cup quarter finals in what is a match that will have every rugby fan watching.
The nature of the game. The nature of the rivalry. The nature of the occasion.
Too many times the All Blacks have been stung by Les Bleus in crucial stages of the Rugby World Cup to let them do it again. Or will they?
More Rugby World Cup quarter-final previews:
>> Ireland vs Argentina preview
>> South Africa vs Wales preview
Everything points to the All Blacks running away with this one.
They’ve been relatively untroubled during the pool stages, though Argentina gave them a hell of a fight in the first game.
They have the foundations of the team that won the 2011 Rugby World Cup. They are experienced. They are settled.
On the other hand, France have a lot of players backing up from the epic 2011 Rugby World Cup final in New Zealand, but are in complete disarray.
There are serious reports of player mutiny towards French coach Phillipe Saint-Andre, but the last time that happened was the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and they managed to get all the way to the finals.
They haven’t accounted themselves all that well so far in the World Cup, struggling against Italy and Ireland in the pool stages, but getting out in second.
Saint-Andre called for his players to start an uprising, and while it mightn’t have been the uprising he was expecting or hoping for, there’s no doubting that this is a passionate French team.
It will be no easy task for the All Blacks, and given the history between the two teams, it’s worth them focussing just that little bit harder for this game.
While the overall ledger for games in the Rugby World Cup sits at 3-2 in favour of the All Blacks, one of those was a third-place playoff, and the two other All Black victories in the grand final.
They were famously knocked out of the tournament by the French in 1999 and 2007 in the semi and quarter-finals respectively.
There’s serious history here.
New Zealand come into this game having topped their pool with a points differential of 125, the best in the tournament.
France were second to Ireland in theirs, with a differential of +57 and a lot of questions surrounding their coach.
Some argue this only makes them more dangerous, as the long-held cliche with the French is you never quite know what you’re going to get.
However, this is a team brimming with speed, skill and talent. From the mercurial Freddie Michalak at flyhalf, to his rock solid halves partner Morgan Parra, to damaging centre Wesley Fofana, to inspirational captain Thierry Dusautoir, this team can beat good sides.
Les Bleus will look to target the All Blacks’ scrum, which has shown some vulnerability in the pool stages, and hope to put Dan Carter off his game.
If they can disrupt the All Blacks’ game plan, they can go a long way to winning.
New Zealand have shown vulnerability in the past couple of months against Australia, South Africa and Argentina.
However, if players like Carter, Kieran Read and Ma’a Nonu get quality ball, you don’t fancy that any amount of passion from the French defence will be able to stop their attacks.
Can the French bounce back from a lacklustre couple of weeks? Or is this All Blacks side simply too classy for any upset to occur?
Prediction: All Blacks by 9.
All Blacks:
Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Julian Savea, Dan Carter, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Joe Moody, Charlie Faumuina, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams
France:
Eddy Ben Arous, Guilhem Guirado, Rabah Slimani, Pascal Pape, Yoann Maestri, Thierry Dusautoir (captain), Bernard Le Roux, Louis Picamoles, Morgan Parra, Frederic Michalak, Brice Dulin, Wesley Fofana, Alexandre Dumoulin, Noa Nakaitaci, Scott Spedding
Replacements:
Dimitri Szarzewski, Vincent Debaty, Nicolas Mas, Damien Chouly, Yannick Nyanga, Rory Kockott, Remi Tales, Mathieu Bastareaud
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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