France vs NZ match thread

by Taylorman Fri 23 Sep - 19:01

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

by Standulstermen Sat 24 Sep - 9:34

I dont think you can argue that it is done because of tradition and then change it is all. Believe me when i go to see the All Blacks i want to see the Haka. But i want the original.Otherwise it isnt tradition and is just a means to gee themselves up

by Guest Sat 24 Sep - 9:35

wooo Parra! great start!

by kiakahaaotearoa Sat 24 Sep - 9:35

Parra looking for another yellow card like in 2007. France brilliant there from broken play. Poor grubber from Carter.

by Cari Sat 24 Sep - 9:36

Drop goal....bounces back off the post...that was lucky for the ABs. What a dramatic start!

by **Biltong** Sat 24 Sep - 9:36

Nonu should have gone wide there.

by Cowshot Sat 24 Sep - 9:36

France B looking fairly good!

by Guest Sat 24 Sep - 9:36

ah so unlucky! DG off the post and Piccamoles can't quite gather it! C'mon France!!

by **rodders** Sat 24 Sep - 9:36

oh yeah congrats to McCaw. Amazing player.

This is going to be a great game Yahoo

!

by Standulstermen Sat 24 Sep - 9:36

Great game by the looks of it.

by kiakahaaotearoa Sat 24 Sep - 9:37

France look up for this match. Great news. Nonu should´ve passes there.

by doctor_grey Sat 24 Sep - 9:37

Well this start should put to bed any thoughts about a garbage French effort, eh?

by Cari Sat 24 Sep - 9:37

I bet the atmosphere there is immense! Come on the All Bliks! Very Happy

Jebus, what a difference a week makes to France though. They had a rubbish start against Canada!

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Sat 24 Sep - 9:37

Cari wrote:I don't like the French wearing white...they look like they're in their undies.

Oh France looking quick...

except the one who bought the wrong coloured underpants, what a goof

by Cowshot Sat 24 Sep - 9:37

Taken in the air! Ouch!

by **rodders** Sat 24 Sep - 9:38

Wow the French are up for this!!! Was traille taken out in the air?!

by Guest Sat 24 Sep - 9:38

think Traille was taken in the air there, horrible landig on his back. Close though.

Parra looking great at 10, love how he and Yachvilli are interchanging.

by Standulstermen Sat 24 Sep - 9:38

Possible penalty?? Hard to judge in fairness. he was definitey competing for the ball but seemed to then wrap his arms around traille

by **Biltong** Sat 24 Sep - 9:39

Jane is wee bit lucky there, if he didn't jump into the player that could have been a try, not very convincing from Jane there.

by Taylorman Sat 24 Sep - 9:39

Droppie no.1 missed...

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Sat 24 Sep - 9:40

I cant see how wrapping your arms round a player whos in the air and tipping them over isnt a tackle in the air but yknow its not like laws actually matter

by PJHolybloke Sat 24 Sep - 9:40

biltongbek wrote:Jane is wee bit lucky there, if he didn't jump into the player that could have been a try, not very convincing from Jane there.

Seen the B&I Lions lose a Test Series on less. Whistle

by **Biltong** Sat 24 Sep - 9:41

by Guest Sat 24 Sep - 9:41

couple of dodgy hits coming in here from NZ, pressure is starting to tell. France just look so exciting whenever they've got the ball but they have to score points from this soon. NZ will take heart if their defence continues to stand strong.

by **rodders** Sat 24 Sep - 9:41

Jees the ABs look all over the place.,

by Standulstermen Sat 24 Sep - 9:41

I'll not have a word said agsint O'Ga......who am i kidding!!!

by Cari Sat 24 Sep - 9:41

Wow! The All Blacks haven't made it out of their 22 yet! Come on!

by Guest Sat 24 Sep - 9:42

Good scrum from NZ just when they needed it. France needed points here, no point having all this pressure if they can't convert it into anything.

by kiakahaaotearoa Sat 24 Sep - 9:42

Think what saved Jane was that he was committed in the air before Traille took the ball.

France are playing well. NZ has to soak up this pressure and get some possession.

by doctor_grey Sat 24 Sep - 9:42

big AB scrum. Possible advantage?

by Cari Sat 24 Sep - 9:43

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gooooo Nonu and Daag!

by Standulstermen Sat 24 Sep - 9:43

Sonny Bill who????

Nonu is a beast

by Guest Sat 24 Sep - 9:43

ooooh Poopie. That's how you do it, first chance, first try for NZ. Poopie. C'mon France, score right back against them!

Bit worrying how easy Nonu got through there though.

by PJHolybloke Sat 24 Sep - 9:43

Normal service has been resumed.

by **rodders** Sat 24 Sep - 9:43

Great try. Nonu is in the form of his life!

by Taylorman Sat 24 Sep - 9:44

Wooohooooooo

by doctor_grey Sat 24 Sep - 9:44

wow, what a great score. attacking the French mid-field.

by Cymroglan Sat 24 Sep - 9:44

Good try

by Cari Sat 24 Sep - 9:44

Oh I don't like the post scoring theatrics though.... Rolling Eyes

Come on Dan get on yer boots....bhugger!

by kiakahaaotearoa Sat 24 Sep - 9:44

Can often be the way. France all the momentum but don´t come away with points. Nonu with a great break and too quick ball. Good hands by Carter to get the ball to Dagg who sends Thomson into the corner. Go you good things.

by Standulstermen Sat 24 Sep - 9:45

roddersm wrote:Great try. Nonu is in the form of his life!

Kind of makes a mockery of that Hurricanes coach. French backrowers looked a tad leggy there

by Glas a du Sat 24 Sep - 9:46

Roland bottled it. Looking for the final obviously. NZ dint need that sort of help.

by kiakahaaotearoa Sat 24 Sep - 9:46

Bit of menace in the AB defence in the forwards. Let´s see how France reacts to that psychological blow.

by doctor_grey Sat 24 Sep - 9:49

looks like a real physical battle, eh?

by Guest Sat 24 Sep - 9:49

French backrow need to up their game. Big time. Being beaten at the breakdown.

by **rodders** Sat 24 Sep - 9:49

Great defence from kehui or whatever you call him!

by **rodders** Sat 24 Sep - 9:50

Game over!

by Suspicious lurker Sat 24 Sep - 9:50

That's it NZ keep it up!!!

by Cari Sat 24 Sep - 9:51

Corey Jane!!!! heart

Poor defence from France.

by alcoombe Sat 24 Sep - 9:51

French tackling is really letting them down, two tries that shouldn't have been.

by Bullsbok Sat 24 Sep - 9:51

looks like my prediction is right , NZ by 15 Very Happy

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