ABs: ‘France no grudge match’
23 Nov 2009
Steven Hansen played down the ‘grudge match’ talk on their clash with France this weekend.
The All Blacks face France on Saturday, a match that has been branded as the main event of the European Tour. Considering France have proved to be the All Blacks’ bogey team over the years – as they dumped the New Zealanders out of the 1999 and 2007 World Cups – many expect them to fight harder for victory.
Hansen, however, disagrees. Speaking to the New Zealand media shortly after the All Blacks’ arrival at their hotel in Marseille, the backline coach said there will be no extra influence on the game.
‘They’re one of the top sides in the world, and anybody involved in the game likes to play the top teams,’ said Hansen. ‘But, no [it's not a grudge match], it’s just another good side to play. The venues you normally play them in are outstanding, and it’s just an enjoyable occasion.’
Both teams will have a score to settle after they beat each other earlier this season when France toured Australasia.
Hansen said the All Blacks will look to beat the ‘impressive’ French side and restore some southern hemisphere pride by remaining undefeated against the European nations this tour.
‘We see it as we’ve played them twice already this year and it’s one-all,’ he said. ‘We know it’s going to be a big occasion, they’re playing well, they beat South Africa a couple of weeks ago and now it’s our turn to front up. Marseille will be pumping and hopefully so will we.
‘There are not too many times you get the opportunity to play an opponent that’s beaten you during the year… it is the last Test match of what’s been a long year, but we’ve got the opportunity to do something other southern hemisphere teams haven’t done, and try to go undefeated.’
100 Comments
Pages: « 1 [2] Show All
23 Nov 2009, 15:07 pm
@WakaNathan: NZ only won because they brought senior ABs on late in the game. They were in the same position as the Bok sides this year until they did that. If Boks had loaded their bench they could’ve got out of it too.
23 Nov 2009, 15:07 pm
@Big Hit: Well, yes and no. Rarely you see the case when WC eliminator is being refereed by relative rookie and he do not penalize one team (who are on the backfoot for most of the time, mind you) at all whole 2nd half and a couple of times in the whole game. I mean, it can be swallowed if this is just an ordinary Test but this was a WC eliminator, ffs. That’s why people were pissed off.
No probs with France, they are great team and with some consistency could be at the top.
In comparision, screaming in rage here when the same gentleman was refereeing SA Tests was deafening. Cheetahs vs BIL Lions, Boks vs Australia, Boks vs France anyone?
23 Nov 2009, 15:08 pm
@WakaNathan: Yes agree with you there Waka. Maybe France should get up to that level all the time against all teams.
23 Nov 2009, 15:09 pm
@Nils: unsportsmanlike excuses, not one of them relevant.
It’s all right to have a bit of a whine after the game but they took it too far.
23 Nov 2009, 15:09 pm
@Sharksgirl: Well, nevertheless it was a great game, one of the most enjoyable of the season, even my team lost. Atmosphere – awesome and nailbitting finish.
By the way, I still think Odwa Ndungane is a liability. I have rarely seen a player so easily spilling ball with tryline begging as this guy. He does it on regular basis.
23 Nov 2009, 15:11 pm
@Big Hit:
Its taken you 12mths to acknowledge the ABs ‘won’ vs Munster so atleast that looks like real progress for you, BH. How did that minor stat ever escape your many and lengthy Reviews on that game ?
23 Nov 2009, 15:14 pm
@Big Hit: Ok. When your team will meet such fate thanks to the referee (be it rugby, soccer or cricket), be nice and practice what you preach.
23 Nov 2009, 15:16 pm
@WakaNathan: I thought Munster were moral victors, was harsh to take it away from them by bringing on senior ABs late in the game. Would’ve been like SA bringing on Botha, FDP et al v Leicester/Sarries etc.
23 Nov 2009, 15:17 pm
@Nils: it wasn’t thanks to the referee, it was dumb rugby, all the other major nations in NZ’s position would’ve been thinking drop-goal. There’s no point you carrying the unsportsmanlike behaviour on their behalf.
23 Nov 2009, 15:24 pm
@Nils: Agreed! That was the most exciting game in my opinion, of course it helped my team won. I always enjoy the games between the Crusaders and SHarks. Was disapointed with this year’s game though, both teams looked a bit lacklustre in the match. Only up is I got to finally get Richie McCaw’s signature, and a photo with him. Have to say he is a lovely person, no arrogance about him, quite happy to talk to us, although he was getting mobbed.
I agree with you on Odwa, its for some time now that I have been advocating he be dropped to the bench. I used to really like him, as although never great he was solid, but now he has last all speed and is prone to knock on or drop ball. I am hoping Plummers sees sense this year and starts with Lwazi Mvovo, a far better prospect, he is fast, strong and always looks dangerous with ball in hand.
23 Nov 2009, 15:25 pm
@Big Hit: And may I ask why all the other major nations would’ve thinking drop-goal? Isn’t it because they are damn sure the ref was never going to give you a penalty?
Alright, we agree to disagree, no need to drag on about it.
23 Nov 2009, 15:26 pm
@Big Hit:
as for emptying the bench, it seems like Engl ran out of extras at HQ, how many players do you need ?
Now I understand why you focus only on the RWCs (ps NZ vs Engl, Played 3, Won 3) because now your rugby team has the same number of subs as your football team does for ‘friendlies’.
Meanwhile, at the Big Boys Table, France name their squad to play ABs. 4 changes all stregnthen the squad – in come Servat, Nallet, Ouedraogo (the new loosie-star of Fr rugby who missed Bok match) and Mermoz; =
French squad:
Forwards (13): Fabien Barcella (Biarritz), Sylvain Marconnet (Stade Francais), Nicolas Mas (Perpignan), Thomas Domingo (Clermont), Dimitri Szarzewski (Stade Francais), William Servat (Stade Toulousain), Romain Millo-Chluski (Stade Toulousain), Sebastien Chabal (Racing-Metro), Lionel Nallet (Racing-Metro), Thierry Dusautoir (Stade Toulousain, capt), Fulgence Ouedraogo (Montpellier), Julien Bonnaire (Clermont), Julien Puricelli (Bayonne)
Backs (10): Julien Dupuy (Stade Francais), Morgan Parra (Clermont), François Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), Yannick Jauzion (Stade Toulousain), Maxime Mermoz (Perpignan), David Marty (Perpignan), Vincent Clerc (Stade Toulousain), Benjamin Fall (Bayonne), Damien Traille (Biarritz), Maxime Medard (Stade Toulousain)
23 Nov 2009, 15:27 pm
@Big Hit:
off you go for a quick Moral Victory Lap whilst the rest of us get a well-earned beer then.
23 Nov 2009, 15:28 pm
@Sharksgirl: Mvovo going to be a real star. Should have kept on playing with him in the CC instead of bringing Odwa back.
Mapoe too a brilliant new comer. JPP better watch it otherwise Mapoe will take his place in the Bok squad. JPP just not playing well at the moment.
23 Nov 2009, 15:31 pm
@Nils: no you think drop-goal late on in a tight knockout game, ever seen the 03 RWC final?
but yes, no need to drag on
@WakaNathan:
that wasn’t a victory lap and you know it, another myth waka, you long cloudists love your myths 
@WakaNathan: Big boys table? we hammered France this year. They lost that big Picamoles guy and Harinordiquy, two top backrows.
23 Nov 2009, 15:35 pm
@WakaNathan: And we all know what happens when both the Boks and the Blacks trot out their A-teams. I can send you some Tri-Nations links if you need reminding.
23 Nov 2009, 15:40 pm
@Big Hit:
myths ?
so, exactly what IS a ‘moral victory’ if not a myth ?
@Big Hit:
I understand your desperation to dine at the Big Boys table but theres only just enough room for 6.
Hey BH, a Ques:- what do you call the game to decide 7th & 8th on the World Rankings Table ?
A. The Calcutta Cup.
23 Nov 2009, 15:46 pm
@WakaNathan:
Brawler.
23 Nov 2009, 15:48 pm
@Big Hit: By the way, I think JW saved English in that final, as Watson was doing all he could to help Aussies win. Alas, Kiwis did not any worthy drop-kicker left on the pitch to see off Barnesey.
Any team could be happy to have reliable drop-kicker when country desparately needs him.
23 Nov 2009, 17:17 pm
@Nils:
Not if that reliable drop-kicker chooses-to and executes the DG on Saturdays match at HQ that Wilko did.
If the fact that Wilko chose to stand so deep in the pocket whilst creating 1 x break to DCs flat positioning ability to create 7 x breaks over the same 80mins did not convince anyone that the DC vs Wilko debate is officially redunadant, then surely Jonnys innate decision to waste Engl best field-position with a lame DG was surely it.
23 Nov 2009, 17:20 pm
@WakaNathan: Which just proves that JW is a nothing but human even while landing dropgoals. If that is urgently needed, he is a valuable asset. Just like Morne Steyn. Or (sometimes) his namesake Francois.
23 Nov 2009, 17:41 pm
@Nils:
Which is also to highlights ones limitations.
Morne Steyn is the most ruthlessly coldblooded placekicker on the Planet. But his inability to play outside a certain narrow structure and playing pattern means that the Boks will lose games away – eg vs France – where their collective class should dictate that they can win matches in more than 1 way. The flipside of that coin is that Ruan Pienaar is probably a better bet for SA against France IN France because he has far more variety, therefore adaptability, to his game than Morne. But he struggles to kick so much as a tumbleweed in the dessert, so its more more a gamble to select him. Currently, the Bok backline remains dormant.
23 Nov 2009, 17:45 pm
@WakaNathan: I am not such an expert but I am sure that guy with JW or MS abilities could save ABs in Cardiff, when nothing else worked right.
Sometimes I rue very much the lack of coldblooded drop-kickers in the squad. Just in case.
23 Nov 2009, 17:58 pm
@Nils:
Its even harder to plan for when 2 of them are injured off.
I was less a fan of ‘reliable DG-kickers’ when the Blacks had Foxy entrenched at no10 that at any time thereafter. For the ABs to choose a reliable-kicker over an attacking 5-eighth would be like Brazil resorting to 4-4-2 against England at a World Cup.
Inconceivable.
23 Nov 2009, 18:29 pm
@WakaNathan: You know DC is not world famous for his drop-goals, I suspect, he has kicked only a few in whole his career be it for Canterbury, Crusaders or the ABs.
And in the situation when you should know that referee will not give you penalty no matter what, drop is the only option. Ok they tried to force a try, which was much harder to do, as the opposition (classy, by the way) was free to do what they see necessary in defence without fearing penalty.
That was the moment, I rued lack of specialist drop-kicker. It may be not flashy but it could land them in Paris instead of Auckland.
23 Nov 2009, 18:45 pm
@Nils:
Fairly hard to kick a DG on 1 leg, let alone from the bench.
Dont get me wrong, any points are welcome via any method. DC has only kicked 2 x Test DGs to Wilkos 31, but then Wilko has scored 7 x Test tries in 78 Tests to DCs 25 in 64.
You cannae have everything. More often than not, teams that over-use the DG are those with white line-fever, which is a team with inner-doubts.
Reducing the DG to 1pt is a must if rugby wants to progress. Tell me ONE good reason 2 x DGs should count for more points than a Try ?
23 Nov 2009, 21:15 pm
World Champion Chokers – the only accolade the AB will win in 2011. France will torment them.
24 Nov 2009, 00:43 am
@Nils: That sort of rugby is not played in NZ, maybe if they reduce the DG to 1pt than that sort of option would be reduced on the field and running rugby would prevail, I would keep penalty 3pts.
24 Nov 2009, 00:45 am
@Slappes: So why mention it, this is common so that wouldnt be a shock, Ive seen too many losses to be heart broken, Whos #1 currently…..ALL BLACKS
24 Nov 2009, 00:55 am
The Froggies are in for the mother of all whippings.
24 Nov 2009, 02:06 am
@Breakdown Boy When was the last time you watched an AB game, stupid boy, nothing wrong with the lineout, we are the only team in the history of the game to go through NHTeams since 2007 without having a try scored against us, and also undefeated, something no other SH team can say, of course you are WC but so have the Poms so have the occa’s, and so have we won the WC, but as I said no one but us has done the above!!!!
24 Nov 2009, 02:09 am
@Slappes: Your team is the best in the world at choking, it took three games before you won one, take a look in your own back yard before you critise us!!!
24 Nov 2009, 02:12 am
@Puma: First time in how many years??? That makes you chokers sunshine dont it!!!
24 Nov 2009, 02:16 am
@rangerman: At least we lost to the supposed WC’s, not like your lot, lost to teams that would find it hard to get into our S14 comp.
24 Nov 2009, 02:18 am
@CHAZ: Dude. Seriously? Unnecessary.
Just makes you look like a doos.
24 Nov 2009, 02:23 am
@Big Hit: Jeez, no wonder people are pissing off to other countries to live BH, strewth do you eat last years bread and meat as well, beacuse I have never heard anyone go on about the past as much as you do, shite BH, don’t you know its 2009 and your rugby team is ****,like your weather, and yes I have lived there so I know all about it, its not a nightmare BH, wake up smell the roses!!!
24 Nov 2009, 02:24 am
@SodaJoe: Unlike your dipshit self then??
24 Nov 2009, 02:28 am
@CHAZ: Grow up. Nothing worse than a bore.
24 Nov 2009, 02:29 am
@CHAZ: yawn
24 Nov 2009, 03:15 am
@CHAZ:
Win a WC then log on a have a crack at the Boks ya dipstick!
24 Nov 2009, 04:00 am
The AB’s are the Frogs ***** at World Cup. You will loose the WC at home because you will choke (hisory) but you will win this weekend as the French are not that hot so far. I am sure they will lift a little for this game.
If Dicko is reffing, no problem but if it is a northern hemisphere ref but not from England I think it will be scrap.Maybe McCaw will be carded for tackling and tripping players without the ball and diving in the ruck form the side, then again maybe not. I think we shall see a fight.
We will see the up and unders that you soo bleated about. Go France!!!
24 Nov 2009, 08:53 am
listen to all the Saffa wankers going on about choking… haha lets talk season 08, the trinations, what happened there ? ranked number 1, WC champs and came stone last… if that isnt a choke..
but that was because of selections right ? you guys are so sad… when you lose its never because you were outplayed, this year when the ABs lost 3 times to you most AB supporters didnt blame novice players, didnt blame travel, we accepted the better team won…
its the fact that NZ can go to the NH and continually beat teams that SA cant… if France beat us this weekend then full credit to them…
seriously, as world cup champs (remember that 4 week tourny where you didnt play anyone ranked higher then 5th?) surely you should be able to beat club sides, no matter who was selected…
I’ll tell you this now, once Bakkies and Victor and FDP and Smit leave the game, and lets face it, it wont be too long until they do, SA is again going to crumble… you can all see it in your next generation of player coming through, it is obvious without your first choice players you are rubbish…
NZ has copped the losses, brought in some youth and this will stand us in good stead… as for 11, who knows what will happen…
24 Nov 2009, 09:06 am
@poppa69: actually NZ supporters went a step further than the travel and ref excuse, they blamed the game of rugby itself
24 Nov 2009, 09:14 am
@Big Hit: lol… thats right, because the NH is choking the kaka out of it…
not releasing players for the 2003 world cup is tantamount to treason of the highest order…
not fully trialling the ELV’s before deciding they werent any good is another one…
24 Nov 2009, 09:20 am
@poppa69: we didnt need to trial them, just had to watch them in the S14 to see they were ****, you don’t need to drink the poison to know it’s poison
24 Nov 2009, 10:58 am
@rangerman:
Or the 2005…… ad nauseum teams that went down
24 Nov 2009, 11:19 am
BigHit I bet its hard to raise a pint without any bones in ones wrist.
24 Nov 2009, 13:30 pm
@CHAZ:
There are some days when Im reminded that my beloved homeland has more than its fair share of @-h*les.
Like every time you open your mouth.
24 Nov 2009, 13:35 pm
@KevinRack:
Hey, Dipsh*t.
1stly, its ‘lose’. Your clearly have problems with the basics in all walks of life, but your pants wont stay up if theyre still ‘loose’.
When you call someone a ‘looser’ (which appears to be your favourite taunt), bizarrely enough it has a habit of shooting the messenger.
2ndly, perhaps the French have the ABs number at RWC-time. But the French have the Boks number. Full. Stop. .
24 Nov 2009, 13:43 pm
@Big Hit:
I must say its rather pathetic that you have failed to say 1 decent word about the AB performance or any of their players or to even have the grace to congratulate any Kiwi bloggers here after the ABs win over Engl. The win was convincing and without controversy.
To a man, the Kiwis here have all congratulated the Boks on every win this season despite any banter, good natured or not, that has preceded it in the leading years/months/days.
Your baiting of NZers and festering jealousy of their rugby is well documented. Now and then its also impt to show not a little spine in fronting up to the opposition with beer in hand.
Pages: « 1 [2] Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.