France vs NZ match thread

[Taylorman]

First topic message reminder :

Some key stats for the match...some very interesting reading with some of this...
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/5674519/Key-stats-ahead-of-France-v-All-Blacks-match
Teams have been posted earlier so I wont repeat them here...

Key facts and figures for the Rugby World Cup 2011 Pool A match between New Zealand and France at, Eden Park tomorrow.

Pool scenario

- If France win this match, they are guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup 2011.

- New Zealand would also almost certainly go through with a victory here and in that case could only be stopped by Canada taking maximum points (including bonus points) in their last two pool matches against Japan and the All Blacks.

- Canada would also have to ensure victory over New Zealand by more than seven points and keep the All Blacks from scoring four tries.

Head-to-head

- This is the 50th Test match between New Zealand and France. New Zealand have won 36, France have won 12 and there has been one draw.

- It is their fifth meeting at the Rugby World Cup, which will make this one of the most common RWC match-ups, equal to New Zealand v Italy, New Zealand v Scotland, England v Australia and Australia v Ireland.- France and New Zealand play each other at the fourth successive Rugby World Cup. The only other fixture to take place at four RWC tournaments in a row is New Zealand v Scotland at the first four Rugby World Cups.

- France and New Zealand have won two matches each against each other at Rugby World Cups but France have won both of the fixtures played before the finals weekend. The All Blacks have beaten France in the 1987 final and the 2003 bronze final.

- France have won four of the 23 matches between the two played in New Zealand. Only Australia (17), South Africa (nine) and the British (& Irish) Lions (6) have won more times in New Zealand than the French but all three have played at least 15 matches more here.

- France have won two of the last three Tests between the two which have been played outside France, winning the Rugby World Cup 2007 quarter-final 20-18 in Cardiff and the 2009 Test in Dunedin 27-22.

- However, New Zealand have won the last two Tests between the two, in Wellington (14-10) and Marseille (39-12).

- France's win in Dunedin in 2009 was the first match in which they were captained by Thierry Dusautoir.

- Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu and Richie McCaw will all play their 10th Test against France, joining 10 other players from SANZAR nations to have done this, a list led by Sean Fitzpatrick (NZL) and John Kirwan (NZL) with 12.

- Mealamu and McCaw can both achieve their ninth victory against France, one short of the record of 10 by a SANZAR player, set by Gary Whetton (NZL) between 1981 and 1990.

- Dan Carter has scored 106 Test points against France and needs 21 more to break the record by a SANZAR player; 126 by Michael Lynagh (AUS).

- Ma'a Nonu has scored four of his Test tries against France, the joint fourth most by an All Black.

- Damien Traille will join 10 other France players who have played against the All Blacks on at least 10 occasions. Traille has been on the winning side twice against New Zealand, two short of the France record of four.

Ad Feedback - France were the last team to beat New Zealand at Eden Park, doing so in 1994.

- France and New Zealand share the Rugby World Cup record of most semi-final appearances (five).

New Zealand

- Ranked No.1 on the IRB World Rankings
- New Zealand are the only team to have won all of their Rugby World Cup pool matches (22).

- New Zealand are the only team at RWC 2011 who have not trailed at any point in their tournament matches so far.

- New Zealand are the highest-scoring team in Rugby World Cup history, having scored 1,752 points in their 37 matches, an average of 47.4 points per game.

- New Zealand have scored 238 Rugby World Cup tries, 81 more than second-placed Australia.

- New Zealand have scored at least one try in their past 91 Tests and in 97 of the 98 Tests coached by Graham Henry.

- Graham Henry's 84.7 per cent winning record coaching New Zealand is the best for any coach of a major nation in the professional era. His predecessor John Mitchell's record of 82.1 per cent is the only other above 80 per cent.

- New Zealand have lost to only South Africa, Australia and France during Henry's reign and have a winning record against all three.

- New Zealand have won their last 12 Test matches at home, a winning streak that goes back more than two years, since South Africa beat them 32-29 in Hamilton on 12 September 2009.

- Under Graham Henry, New Zealand have lost only three home Test matches, against South Africa (twice) and France.

- Graham Henry coaches a team in a Rugby World Cup match for the 12th time, breaking the record for the most by a New Zealander and the joint second most by anyone. Only Bernard Laporte (FRA) has coached in more RWC matches (14).

France

- Ranked No.5 on the IRB World Rankings, having dropped a place since the beginning of the Rugby World Cup.

- France are one of only three teams to have lost fewer than two Rugby World Cup pool matches. Opponents New Zealand have lost none; South Africa and France have lost one each.

- For the third time in RWC history a French campaign is being led by a head coach who is a former French RWC player, following the 1991 campaign under Daniel Dubroca (FRA) and their 1995 tournament under Pierre Berbizier (FRA).

The venue

- Eden Park hosted five matches during Rugby World Cup 1987, with New Zealand and France winning two matches each and Romania one.

- New Zealand have played three Rugby World Cup matches at Eden Park, two at RWC 1987 and one at RWC 2011, winning by a minimum of 20 points each time. Their closest match there was the 29-9 victory against France in the final of Rugby World Cup 1987.

- Eden Park will host 11 matches at RWC 2011, two Pool A matches, one match in each of the other three pools and then two quarter-finals, both semi-finals, the bronze final and the final. Its total of 16 RWC matches will be a record, surpassing Murrayfield's mark of 13.

- The All Blacks have won their last 23 Tests at Eden Park since an 18-18 draw against South Africa in August 1994.

- France are the last team to beat New Zealand at Eden Park, in July 1994. That match is also New Zealand's only defeat at Eden Park in the past 25 years, since Australia won there in September 1986.

- The All Blacks have collected 21 wins from as many attempts at Eden Park in the professional era (1996-2011).

- If New Zealand reach the semi-finals they are guaranteed to play five matches at Eden Park, which will equal Scotland's record of playing five matches at Murrayfield at Rugby World Cups 1991 and 1999.

The line-ups

- New Zealand have made four changes from the team that beat Japan 83-7 last weekend.

- Captain Richie McCaw returns from injury and will win his 100th cap and is the only player change in the pack. Adam Thomson switches back to number 8 to accommodate McCaw and Victor Vito drops out of the 22.

- Andy Ellis and Colin Slade are replaced by Piri Weepu and Dan Carter while Israel Dagg is also back from injury at full back in place of Isaia Toeava.

- McCaw will be the first All Black to reach a century of caps and the 19th from all rugby playing countries. McCaw is one of three players at Rugby World Cup 2011 who can win their 100th cap during the tournament. Teammate Mils Muliaina and Australia's Nathan Sharpe with 98 and 96 caps respectively are the others.

- The All Black XV for Saturday's match is full of experience, boasting 727 caps among them. There have been only three more experienced All Blacks teams, in the two Tri Nations matches against Australia last month and the 2010 Bledisloe Cup match in Hong Kong.

- New Zealand's most experienced line-up, which beat Australia 30-14 at Eden Park last month, had only 39 caps more than the XV selected to play France on Saturday.

- Three of the team - Tony Woodcock, McCaw and Carter - also started the Rugby World Cup 2007 quarter-final match against France. Andrew Hore and Ali Williams, who have been named among the replacements for this weekend's match, also played in that match.

- France have selected an experienced starting XV with 634 caps. Since Rugby World Cup 2007, they have played only one match with a XV with more caps. That was in March when a team with 646 caps in the starting XV lost to Italy in the Six Nations championship.

- France coach Marc Lièvremont has made five player changes and two positional changes to the team that beat Canada 46-19 last Sunday.

- Hooker Dmitri Szarzewski makes his Rugby World Cup 2011 debut in place of William Servat, Lionel Nallet and Thierry Dusautoir return in place of Romain Millo-Chluski and Fulgence Ouedraogo.

- In the backs, Trinh-Duc and centre David Marty drop out of the XV with their places being taken by players switching positions: Parra to fly half and Aurélien Rougerie moving back to outside centre. Dimitri Yachvili and Maxime Médard are selected at scrum half and left wing respectively.

- Morgan Parra makes his first start for France at fly half, having played parts of the matches against Japan and Canada in that position.

- Parra will become the second player ever to start Rugby World Cup matches at both scrum half and fly half after Taniela Moa became the first last week. The Tongan started at scrum half in the 41-10 defeat by the All Blacks and switched to fly half for the 25-20 defeat by Canada.

- Parra will be the sixth player to start for France at both scrum half and fly half but only the third post-war player to have played in both positions in the French team.

- The most recent was Frédéric Michalak with three of his first four starts for France at scrum half before he reverted to his more familar position in the French team. Jean-Louis Berot, who won 21 caps for France between 1968 and 1974, is the other post-war player to start in both positions. His first four starts for France were at scrum half, after which he moved to the No 10 position for his other 17 caps.

- Eight of France's 22 on Saturday played some part in the 20-18 victory over the All Blacks at Rugby World Cup 2007. They are Szarzewski, Poux, Bonnaire, Dusautoir, Harinordoquy, Heymans, Clerc and Traille. Dusautoir scored France's first try in the match.


The referee

- Alain Rolland (IRE) has been named as the referee for a record 12th Rugby World Cup match. He will be equalled by Jonathan Kaplan, who will referee his 12th RWC match next Tuesday when Canada take

[rodders]

Harinordique has had a big impact too.

[Standulstermen]

Am I the only person not convinced by the AB's? They don't look like they are enjoying themselves out there. There's just something missing from them right now.

You can only beat whats in front of you Rodders. I picked Oz before the tournament but from what i have seen the team most likely to stop the AB's is the Boks.

[Cari]

Will that be allowed?

[Guest]

a bit weird that but finally a try is given for France!

[Cari]

Well that was confusing! Try's been allowed though.

32 - 17.

[Bullsbok]

thats very proffesional Rolland , talk to the team lull them into a false sense of security then left the french take a quick tap try??

[EnglishReign]

France know the game is lost and are pretending to care now.

[Notch]

Seems controversial, the referee was deep in conversation with the All Blacks. It is given. I'm sure that will generate a bit of debate.

[doctor_grey]

But thats the French.........

[rodders]

Yeah ok I've changed my mind. I am convinced by the AB's!

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Just as well GG is off the boards. You´re having a conversation with Woodcock, where was time put back on. Ludicrous to let that.

Came back with the right response to that nonsense. That was like a big f*** you to the ref that try.

[doctor_grey]

I think thats good play by the French. Unfortunately for them, they just gave ity back.

[Cari]

The AB's immediately fight back....Sonny over the whitewash.

Conversion missed 37 - 17.

[rodders]

Bring back GG!

[paulscholes]

try of the world cup so far?

[Cari]

FT 37 - 17. Well done All Blacks.

[rodders]

Jeez Thorn is some athlete!

[Guest]

well boo, disappointed with that. THink France managed about 15 mins of good play, just not good enough. Scarily clinical by NZ though.

[Cymroglan]

GG not playing anymore ? Not seen nottins for a while either have they finally settled down together

[Bullsbok]

and as predicted France collect a comfortable loss , on to the next one.NZ's test will be in the semi final against the Wobblies or the Boks

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Messy in the second half. Hope in particular Dagg is ok. Man of the match.

Thorn and McCaw looked back in good touch. Kaino was huge. Whitelock put his hand up.

NZ rose to the occasion. France wilted when they failed to get points and got punished by poor backline defence. A disappointing game in that the French didn´t test us but it was satusfying to see us come out with such aggression and good execution.

[rodders]

Easy for the AB's. I thought it would be though. They looked pretty awesome and were miles better at every aspect of the game. In fact the scoreline doesn't do them justice.

I seriously think France will be a totally different side in the QF. This result doesn't do the future opponents of either of these two sides any favours.

[Biltong]

New zealand did everything they had to do, they were effective, clinical and executed very well.

Two key areas for me was the breakdowns and the inside passes, the French had no answer for it.

The French also didn't pitch up for most parts of this match.

Well done NZ you got your revenge.

[Mike Selig]

I thought the try was OK TBH, the clock was running and AR had (just) finished his conversation with Woodcock. Yachivilli seemed to ask if he could go, clearly from the mark. I think the ABs were caught out as they assumed Fr would take the scrum.

[doctor_grey]

but that was typical France. If they converted their early pressure them match would possibly have turned out differently. A bit of luck, good defense, and the ABs converted their opportunities in a terrific manner.

[rodders]

ROG scored a similar one against the Boks a few years ago. You have to defend your line at all times.

Well done McCaw, what a legend.

[doctor_grey]

NICE HAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Biltong]

ROG scored a similar one against the Boks a few years ago. You have to defend your line at all times.

Well done McCaw, what a legend.

Trust you to say that. defend the indefenceble to the death my friend.

Here Rollaind has turned his back to the all blacks and didn't tell McCaw to set up a conference.

John smit already had the tables booked and was handing out the manuals Paul honiss provided.

[Standulstermen]

"The difference between my jogging pace and flat out, was a facial expression"

Crackin line Mr Pienaar

[trebellbobaggins]

NZ look formidable. Big favourites for me. I cannot see them failing at home.

[rodders]

You snooze you lose Biltong ....unless you are the AB's that is..

[Cymroglan]

Congratulations Richie McCaw getting any caps New Zealand is a achievement getting a 100 of them is outstanding

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Rolland should´ve called time off to talk to Woodcock. ABs probably thought he had called time off.

I salute you Richie. He´s had his fair share of knocks and injuries over the years so 100 games is a fantastic effort. He had a great game to bring up that 100.

What a treat we have for the quarters now. Looks like England vs France, Argentina or Scotland vs NZ, Wales vs Ireland and SA vs Australia. What a dream draw. Great match ups and very even.

Read comes back against Canada. Thomson´s injury looks serious. Hopefully Thomson isn´t required though. Read needs some game time and bring Vito on as cover. Play him again against Scotland or Argentina and get his match fitness up playing more minutes.

[rodders]

What a treat we have for the quarters now. Looks like England vs France, Argentina or Scotland vs NZ, Wales vs Ireland and SA vs Australia. What a dream draw. Great match ups and very even.

Yeah great for you!

Ritchie have a on me, sir. Amazing player.

[Notch]

ROG scored a similar one against the Boks a few years ago. You have to defend your line at all times.

Well done McCaw, what a legend.

Trust you to say that. defend the indefenceble to the death my friend.

Here Rollaind has turned his back to the all blacks and didn't tell McCaw to set up a conference.

John smit already had the tables booked and was handing out the manuals Paul honiss provided.

The referee didn't call time off, and so made a rod for his own back. in fact, I don't see the problem with the O'Gara try. Smit was told to talk to his players. He wasn't told time off to talk to his players. I would have thought the implication would have been that that was in the next break of play?

Anyway, the clear lesson is that you need to remain focused and can't let your concentration lapse for a second. Fortunately on this occasion it had no bearing on the ultimate result of the game

[Notch]

To be fair if that is the draw I think that NZ will cruise it but the other three games will be fantastic.

Samoa and Italy can still both qualify as well, so there are realistically 11 teams who can reach the quarters.

[rodders]

Jeez there's Irelands secret...green tea!

[kiakahaaotearoa]

It was a shame France didn´t put points on the board. NZ need to be tested. You put pressure on them by scoring and putting doubt in their minds. NZ soaked up the early pressure and then got ahead which proved too much. The French tries were opportunist but they never looked likely on attack after that promising start.

I don´t know about SBW on the wing. Jane keeps getting taken off early. He still needs some game time and took a good try. Kahui looks good on the left wing. Weepu looked good but not so sure about Ellis. Smith was immense o n defence. For such a relatively small guy he drove back twice two big French players. That backline of Weepu, Carter, Nonu, Smith, Jane, Kahui and Dagg looked very good out there today. I take my hat off to Dagg in particular who had big shoes to fill but he looked so composed with a good catch early on and then just looked so dangerous on attack.

It´s a nice quarter final with the prospect of playing SA or Australia who will be physically jaded after a big game. I´d rather play those teams after such a game rather than in the final.

England will look confident after that French performance but nothing should be read too much into today. The Parra experiment didn´t work and Medard looks as comical on defence as those mutton chops. Heymans needs to come on for him because England have big backs. But France will be fired up after that performance. One game where no doubt Lievremont will chop and change before the quarters but he should have a very strong squad for England.

[Pot Hale]

I thought the try was OK TBH, the clock was running and AR had (just) finished his conversation with Woodcock. Yachivilli seemed to ask if he could go, clearly from the mark. I think the ABs were caught out as they assumed Fr would take the scrum.

Correct. He was not talking to the ABs. He had turned around towards French and was asked by Yachvilli if it was ok to go and he said yes. Perfectly legitimate try. And it's not the same to Paul Honiss incident in which he said to Sth African captain to talk to his players and then was asked by O'Gara if he could start play and he said yes.

[Taylorman]

Well i picked. 18-25 so right in there.
France 2 opportunist tries where all abs were constructed.

Expect mils to play at least next week but damn dagg and his injuries. What a talent.

SBW now the ideal impact player and best thing is abs won doing it the ab way. Well done the french for competing.

They will take some beating.

Well done richie mccaw. A true all black legend.

Rest up boys. You've deserved it. Hopefully we get through with few injuries- especially dagg!

[HammerofThunor]

I liked Carter's drop goal

[kiakahaaotearoa]

It was the right option. Put points on the board and go beyond 30 to put the French back in their place after they started to look better in the second half, unfortunately when the game was beyond them.

England have been shown the way to play France. Get on top of them by taking opportunities when you get them. If France have a sniff, they play so much better but if you tick the scoreboard over they wilt under the mental pressure. No miracle comebacks today. Their backs in particular were humbled today even when SBW and Slade were on the wings they couldn´t find a way through.

[Mike Selig]

To be fair, NZ were awesome. Dagg, Kaino, Smith, Carter, Weepu, Thorne in particular. Still think SBW is a better footballer than Nonu having said that.

For France, Clerc was very good, made grounds in attack and put in some good hits. The team looked noticeably more mobile when Harinardoquy came on, but lost bulk (Piccamoles did pretty well in contact, but less well at breakdown). The two second rows (normally a strength) were poor. Servat is by miles the better hooker and it showed.

Médard's defence wasn't good enough, he may be a terrific runner but his basics let him down probably too badly to start against England. Traille is not a FB, pick Heymans (but then who on the other wing?). Mermoz looked ok but no more. Parra was average but not terrible, it may be worth another shot? The problem is he is France's best scrum-half but Yachvilli's kicking is on fire.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Other than a few poor grubbers, Nonu was immense today. At times when he makes a break it looks as though he should pass. But he´s a good judge of the situation and where SBW would look to offload, Nonu has the ability to take the ball into contact and allow quick ball.

Ted obviously wants SBW on the pitch. But I think wing is the only place to put him as Nonu and Smith can´t be broken up. But Jane is more solid there especially on defence and showed today he can have the attack. But he´s getting very little game time. Bring SBW on to make an impact but not so early. My concern is players are getting taken off and are not getting 80 minutes of rugby. What happens when the game is tight and the bench comes on when we´re down. I prefer the A squad to have more time together.

[The Rakish Brigand]

How Jane escaped a yellow card for the tackle in the air on Traille I'll never know! Poor decision from the ref to not even award a penalty.
However, I doubt it would have affected the result.

[Cymroglan]

He was going for the ball no intent there.

[aucklandlaurie]

Jane was allowed to compete for the ball.

[HammerofThunor]

But he grabbed the player in the air. If you bump them in the air and you're competing you're fine. If you grab the player then you're not. Not malicious but still illegal and should have been penalised.

[aucklandlaurie]

he didnt grab the player in the air if he had it would have been a penalty.theres a big difference between touching a player and grabbing him.

[emack2]

Just come in and read the report,will be viewing and commenting later.
NO Taylorman,I am not in a world of my own 1987 was
All Blacks win,but has been rubbished by many here NOT ME !!!!
ALL NZ wants another RWC win to get the Monkey of there back
and most people think IF you don`t another RWC.
THEN despite your winrecords you are nothing but Pretenders
NOT ME!!!!!!.
That this is you best chance to do it,and THAT IS NOT ME EITHER!!!!

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