One of the most riveting encounters in world rugby is back for the first time since that intense and agonizing night in October 2011 with the mercurial Les Bleus back in New Zealand to take on the All Blacks.
The first test of three takes place at the site of that epic Final on Saturday. While victory for the French won't erase memories of that 8-7 defeat to the All Blacks, it will be sweet revenge for captain Thierry Dusautoir, and would also be a bigger shock than their win at Carisbrook 4 years ago.
Why? France after all did finish plumb last in the 6 Nations just completed, behind Italy, Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales and looked completely out of sorts then after a fine campaign in November 2012.
Their chances might be aided by the absence of the on-sabbatical Richie McCaw and injured Dan Carter along with the likes of Cory Jane, Sam Whitelock and Tony Woodcock along with notable experienced players from that memorable night in 2011 like Ali Williams, Andrew Hore, Jerome Kaino and Brad Thorn.
Yes this is a decent All Blacks side with experience in Owen Franks, Kieran Read, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith but it has been a while since the All Blacks have played without McCaw or Carter on the field, two of the most influential players in this period of New Zealand rugby so this will be a huge test for this generation of players.
Should they win this game, it would be a huge confidence booster for New Zealand rugby and a sign that they can move on without Carter or McCaw.
On the other hand, coach Philippe Saint Andre is blooding new talent after their disastrous 6 Nations campaign although there are many familiar names in the lineup. Besides Captain Thierry, there is Dimitri Szarzewski, Florian Fritz and muttonchops Maxine Medard starting and Yannick Nyanga, Maxime Mermoz and the enigmatic Freddie Michalak on the bench. Bad boy Bastareud has missed out on this test despite impressive form this season in the Heineken Cup.
There will be a lot on the shoulders of young pivots, Camille Lopez and Aaron Cruden. While Cruden has now established himself as the 2nd best pivot behind Dan Carter, France continue to experiment at the troublesome pivot position - previous incumbent, Francois Trinh-Duc also misses out like Bastareud.
Wesley Fofana is one player to watch too - he has been electric in club rugby this season and his match-up with fellow excitement machine Ma'a Nonu is one to watch.
In the Super Bru competition, I've gone for France by 7 but after looking at both sides (below), my prediction might be a tad bold - nevertheless, I wouldn't be surprised if Les Bleus were the ones who broke the duck at Eden Park.
One must also remember that the All Blacks lost their last game albeit that was some time ago in November 2011 and there is something about those losing streaks.
New Zealand: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (captain), Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Ben Afeaki, Jeremy Thrush, Victor Vito, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Rene Ranger
France: Yoann Huget, Adrien Plante, Florian Fritz, Wesley Fofana, Maxime Medard, Camille Lopez, Maxime Machenaud, Louis Picamoles, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Thierry Dusautoir (captain), Yoann Maestri, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Luc Ducalcon, Dimitri Szarzewski, Thomas Domingo.
Reserves: Guilhem Guirado, Vincent Debaty, Daniel Kotze, Alexandre Flanquart, Yannick Nyanga, Jean Marc Doussain, Frederic Michalak, Maxime Mermoz.
No comments:
Post a Comment