France vs New Zealand

Game Two


Lionel Beauxis - Key man for France

As a Frenchmen said earlier this week, they (the organisers) should have made the quarterfinal for France in Paris regardless of whether they come first or second in the group.  I agree 100% with that and unfortunately it is not the case.  The game being played in Cardiff will be seen as neutral ground although the french support should be greater.  This is historically been a battle of two sides that have similar styles of rugby and it is never a game to miss especially at the World Cup.  The french with their unpredictability always try something different against New Zealand and in 1999 it worked like a dream using a more kicking game which blind sided the ABs and they came up short.  This time around Laporte has gone for the relatively unknown Lionel Beauxis.  I personally have never seen him play but he helped the France U21 side lift the World Cup last year.  Yes this 22yr has been thrown in the deep end and faces his biggest challenge in rugby to date and he has the opportunity to make his name in one game that is why he is the Key man as he has X-Factor for France.


Richard Hugh 'Richie' McCaw - Key man for New Zealand

Well well well they are back in the driving seat at yet another World Cup, favourites once again and they are up against the unpredictable Frenchmen who can turn it on especially when they are the underdogs.  Pressure comes with the territory being when you play for the All Blacks as they are expected to have 100% performances and win every match but its a different kid of pressure when it comes to World Cup time.   They are in top condition I would say the fittest side in the tournament they can play at high intensity for the full 80 minutes but some teams slow down coming to the end of the game. They have the ability we all know the high skill level shown by the New Zealanders at all levels and they are groomed with the correct skill set.  There is one variable that is the determining factor for the All Blacks, the mind which was discussed in the Teaser with Buck Shelford.  That is why my Key man for the ABs is Richie McCaw undoubtedly one of the greatest players of all time to don the number 7 for the All Blacks.  His influence on the team not only through his play but more importantly off the field and while the game is static will be crucial to the teams performance.

Stats Say: The All Blacks - after an explosive start they have racked up almost double the points, double the amount of tries and conceded less points...only just.  Consistently the better side although still to be tested unlike France
History Says: The All Blacks - they have beaten France 2 out of 3 times '87 final and 03 3rd place playoffs ( if you can count that) and lost just the once in the 1999 World Cup.
Dubes Says:The All Blacks - Geez!!! what a game it is going to be.  The french are coming into this one having been tested by both Argentina and Ireland so their 
speed to the breakdown and sharpness around the field may shock the All Blacks in the first couple of minutes of the game may be might go in ahead at halftime.  But as the game develops and the ABs catch up in terms of awareness the tables will turn and the Abs will go through to the semi's to play Australia.