France v New Zealand: In France at least the start of this latest spell of All Black domination of world rugby can be pinned on a single date: November 28th, 2004, when Les Bleus were blown away 45-6 and five tries to nil at the Stade de France by Daniel Carter and company, the worst defeat experienced by the national side in Bernard Laporte's seven-year tenure as head coach.
Back then, with the World Cup almost three years away, the defeat could be seen as a one-off. Now, however, the subtext for Laporte is clear: for the tournament to retain a degree of suspense rather than looking like a foregone conclusion for New Zealand, France must stand tall over the next two Saturdays, today in Lyon and next week in Paris.
"We have to hang on to the All Blacks, bring them down," says Laporte. "If everyone ships 40 points against them, there will be no World Cup. We will try to save the World Cup and give hope back to the entire world."
The All Blacks are also out to make a point, according to Carter.
"France will be a big threat next year," predicts the great number 10. "If we can raise ourselves to win both games, psychologically it will allow us to strike a huge blow."
The France camp have staged a propaganda campaign this week. Laporte stated New Zealand's marauding flanker Richie McCaw could have been penalised 20 times against England last Sunday rather than twice and added - rather provocatively - "What he does is stop play. If he had done that in the old days in deepest France he'd have gone home with his scalp open."
France's forwards trainer, Jacques Brunel, contended that the All Black front row anticipate the referee on engaging in the scrum, and that referees were indulging the practice. And there were accusations of opposing players being taken out in the air at lineouts.
Additionally the newspaper L'Équipe published a photograph showing English tacklers being taken out off the ball to create space. The All Blacks, to their credit, refused to get involved.
New Zealand make 10 changes to the side that beat England by a Twickenham-record 41-20, with head coach Graham Henry planning to field his best team next Saturday at the Stade de France.
McCaw and Carter are retained, together with Joe Rococoko and the props Carl Hayman and Tony Woodcock.
Rodney So'oialo and Jerry Collins are brought in to reunite the back row that tortured France two years ago in Paris.
Worryingly for the French, their back row looks callow, with Thierry Dusautoir and Elvis Vermeulen boasting only five caps between them.
Biarritz centre Damien Traille starts at outhalf in place of Frederic Michalak.
Up front, Dimitri Szarzewski is preferred at hooker to Raphael Ibanez. Star flanker Serge Betsen is left out of the squad altogether, his place going to Remy Martin of Stade Français. Guardian Service
FRANCE: Laharrague; Dominici, Jauzion, Fritz, Rougerie; Traille, Yachvili; Marconnet, Szarzewski, de Villiers; Pelous (capt), Pape; Dusautoir, Bonnaire, Vermeulen. Replacements: Ibanez, Milloud, Nallet, Martin, Elissalde, Marty, Heymans.
NEW ZEALAND: MacDonald; Rokocoko, Smith, McAlister, Sivivatu; Carter, Weepu; Woodcock, Oliver, Hayman; Ryan, Williams; Collins, McCaw (capt), So'oialo. Replacements: Mealamu, Tialata, Eaton, Masoe, Kelleher, Nonu, Muliaina.
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia).
