adminLONDON. — The All Blacks are backing a band of ageing warriors led by Richie McCaw in their showdown with France today and the chance to bury a nightmare in a rematch of their 2007 Rugby World Cup quarter-final.
The match kicks-off at 9pm.
New Zealand v France is more than just the first knockout match of the 2015 tournament.
It has all the ingredients for a colossal showdown at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium between two sides with bitter history.
New Zealand are again overwhelming favourites, but it is well documented how a fragmented French can galvanise when they face the All Blacks in a do-or-die situation. They showed that in the 1999 semi-finals and the 2007 quarter-finals.
France, upset at losing the 2011 World Cup final 8-7 to New Zealand, are again lapping up being the underdogs.
But All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen, who was assistant coach when the world champions capitulated eight years ago, said history was what motivated his side.
“We know what’s on the game, as everyone else does. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist, but that’s the sort of thing that excites this team.
“Everyone’s really excited, the atmosphere’s growing, it’s the time of the tournament when the big boys have got to stand up or we’re going home.
“Our guys love a challenge and we know there’s not many bigger challenges than playing France.”
Hansen’s answer is to bank on experience, selecting a side stacked with 1,295 caps, six players over 30 and an average age of 28.
McCaw, the world’s most experienced Test player, is back from injury to lead the side in his 146th international. — AFP.
Online Reporter