France out to end home drought against NZ

Marc Lievremont © Gallo Images

France haven't stopped celebrating their win over the All Blacks in June.

France used that first win on New Zealand soil in 15 years - 27-22 in Dunedin - to believe they were back on the road to respectability, and they could face down the Southern Hemisphere rugby powers. Two weeks ago, the French cited the victory as inspiration before playing South Africa, and duly outmuscled the Tri-Nations champion 20-13 in Toulouse.

Armed with another impressive win, 43-5 against Samoa last weekend, French confidence is high and charged about ending a nine-year drought at home against the All Blacks on Saturday.

They're even back at the venue of that last home win in 2000, the intimate Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

"I hope all the players realise what's at stake," said France coach Marc Lievremont.

The other blockbuster match of the weekend pits Ireland against the Springboks, who could redeem a disastrous tour with a win against the European champion at Croke Park. That's where Australia's first Grand Slam bid in 25 years died a fortnight ago, and after a first loss to Scotland in 27 years, the Wallabies believe their own tour will be judged less harshly if they can beat Wales in Cardiff.

Elsewhere, Scotland host Argentina, Italy take on Samoa, Portugal meetsTonga for the first time, Namibia play Tunisia for a World Cup berth, and Canada welcome first-time visitor Russia.

Though 11 of the France lineup which won at Carisbrook are starters again, none believe victory will be as convincing as it was five months ago. That's because the All Blacks are at full-strength, and have back influential captain Richie McCaw and flyhalf Dan Carter, who missed that drawn June series with injuries.

The All Blacks have beaten Australia, Wales, Italy and England on successive Saturdays and gone through Europe with a clean tryline, though without the fear they induced on their Grand Slam tour of the Home Unions a year ago.

"They are a complete team once more. Their squad is full of confidence," Lievremont said.

"We still feel like we can compete. We will put in an outstanding game against them."

The All Blacks are equally desperate to end a mediocre year on a high.

"Over the last six years we've done the European tour four times with two Grand Slams, and we're very proud of our record here," coach Graham Henry said. "Other sides have tried to emulate that and haven't done so and it just shows you it's not easy.

"We're proud of what we've achieved this tour, (and) we'd like to add a bit of finish to what we're doing."

While the injury-ravaged Springboks are hobbling into their tour finale, fans consider the return of captain John Smit to hooker from tighthead prop and BJ Botha's start there as blessings in disguise. Injuries forced the pair to finish last week's win over Italy, along with loosehead Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira, and the Boks scrum gave its best performance yet on a miserable tour.

Added to the recalls of lock Victor Matfield and flanker Schalk Burger, the Boks appear to have a scrum and foundation that edges the home side.

"I don't believe for a second that South Africa won't be at their best because it's the end of a long season," Ireland flanker David Wallace said.

"They'll be very aware of what's at stake in the game and that it's being billed as the best of the Northern Hemisphere against the best of the Southern Hemisphere."

Ireland will be trying for a third straight win over the Boks without their deadliest kicker, Ronan O'Gara, who has been demoted to the reserves for a better look at the latest assumed heir, Jonathan Sexton, who had a fine debut against Fiji.

Wales coach Warren Gatland was under no illusion that Australia were down after the draw with Ireland and rare defeat to Scotland.

"As a team, Australia have been quite unlucky," he said. "They could easily have been playing for a Grand Slam this weekend.

"My experience of Australian teams in the past is when they are in this situation and taken a bit of criticism, there is normally only one way they come out - with all guns blazing."

Gatland brought in only scrumhalf Dwayne Peel for Gareth Cooper, leaving nine of his lineup to start all four of their tests this month.

The Wallabies need a win, with only two in their last ten tests and Robbie Deans, their first foreign coach, under public pressure despite backing this week from Australian Rugby Union chief John O'Neill.

"This match is a big test of our collective character as a group," Deans said.

Scotland will be out to beat the Pumas at home for the first time since 1990, and Italy will be seeking their first ever win over Samoa after three defeats, the last in 2001.

Read more on the latest rugby news page.

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