Rugby:New Zealand outhalf Dan Carter has been declared fully fit for Saturday's crucial World Cup clash with France at Eden Park. Carter withdrew from the 83-7 thumping victory over Japan with a back complaint and assistant coach Wayne Smith yesterday stated he was still not operating at 100 per cent.
But today forwards coach Steve Hansen revealed Carter is set to start the pivotal Pool A encounter, saying: “Yes, Dan’s 100 per cent fit and ready to go. It’s great for the tournament, great for him and great for us.”
France have been criticised for selecting what has been described as a largely second-string line-up against the All Blacks, with Morgan Parra starting his first test at outhalf.
Victory would send Les Bleus into the tougher half of the quarter-final draw where Australia and South Africa are almost certain to lie in wait. Defeat would confront them with likely knockout matches against any two of England, Ireland and Wales blocking their route to the final.
France coach Marc Lievremont has been accused of picking a team to lose, but Hansen insists it remains a strong XV.
“It’s a really good side and Lievremont has picked what he thinks is the best team for this game,” he said. “We’ll treat them with the utmost respect, as we always do. We’re just preparing as if it’s the best French team that they could pick.”
France’s Imanol Harinordoquy has mocked claims of a weakened team as many big names have been included in a strong XV — among them captain
Thierry Dusautoir, scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili and winger Vincent Clerc.
“People are saying this is a France B team but there is no such thing. There is only the France XV,” said Harinordoquy, the 31-year-old number eight who has been named on the bench.
“We have changed our team for each of the two games in the World Cup so far and now the coach has made his choice for this game. The first choice is evolving.
“There is a polemic going on from certain sections of the press. Who are they to say what is the strongest French team? It is not their decision.
“This is a very strong French selection and I am disappointed not to make the XV, but I am determined to make an impact when I come off the bench.”
