Compiled by JOHN O'SULLIVAN
WHO THE COACHES SELECTED
COACH Marc Lievremont hasn’t changed his view on France’s best halfback combination and scrumhalf Morgan Parra will once again be the outhalf in tomorrow’s final. However he has ditched the ponderous Damien Traille at fullback, replacing him with Maxime Medard, who played on the left wing in the fist encounter. Alexis Palisson is the only personnel change to the backline. The French coach has beefed up the frontrow with the return of wily and impressive hooker William Servat and the cornerstone of the scrum, Perpignan’s Nicolas Mas. There is only one change in the backrow, with Imanol Harinordoquy replacing Louis Picamoles at number eight. Lievremont’s selection for the pool match drew a great deal of ire from the New Zealand media, who believed he was deliberately fielding a weakened side but his selection for other games ensured that wasn’t wholly accurate. New Zealand are without the injured Dan Carter and he is replaced by Aaron Cruden, who will win his ninth cap. There is one further alteration from the pool match with first choice number eight Kieran Read fit again after injury. He replaces Adam Thomson, who drops to the bench.
THE TEAMS THAT LINED OUT IN AUCKLAND HOW THE MATCH UNFOLDED
THE selection of the French halfbacks and one or two other decisions backfired on the day as despite a decent start France were thumped by their hosts. Richie McCaw celebrated winning his 100th cap with a towering performance in the loose, providing a perfect link to a rampant backline, beautifully orchestrated by Dan Carter. New Zealand led 19-0 with just a quarter of the game gone with tries from Adam Thomson, Corey Jane and Israel Dagg. The first came following a Ma’a Nonu surge, the second a virtuoso effort from Jane and the third courtesy of Carter’s soft hands. Dimitri Yachvili kicked a penalty for a bedraggled French team but it was only a short respite as Dagg got his second try, once again combining with Carter. The All Blacks outhalf offered a rare aberration – his kicking in this match wasn’t up to his usual standard – in his general play when throwing a pass which Maxime Mermoz intercepted as the French briefly rallied to 29-10. Carter popped over a dropped goal before Les Bleus grabbed a second try from replacement outhalf Francois Trinh Duc. The home side had the last say when Sonny Bill Williams, a 33rd minute replacement for an unwell Jane, finished off a flowing New Zealand move.
LESSONS FOR NEW ZEALAND
A REPEAT of the hard running, supplemented by the intelligent lines of the supporting runners, playing off a platform of hard-nosed excellence in the tight and aggression at the breakdown would be a pretty irresistible cocktail. A primary consideration for the home team will be managing their expectations; that of the supporters and dealing with nerves. They broke France early the last day and will want to repeat that achievement. The longer the French remain within touching distance, the longer the ghosts of World Cups past will continue to hover over Eden Park. The World Cup is theirs to lose.
LESSONS FOR FRANCE
THEYs must forget everything that has gone before at the World Cup and dredge their memory banks to recall how they play exquisite rugby when mentally primed. This is as much a mental test as physical for the French. It’s about the players taking control of their destiny and playing with a traditional joie de vivre. France can’t miss 18 tackles, must find the vigour and appetite for the collisions and have to try and disrupt the All Blacks set-pieces; it will be easier with William Servat and Nicholas Mas present this time. They’ve got to have a disciplined, suffocating defence and when they get opportunities have the courage and skill to execute accurately. They’ve got to play like they have not done for quite some time.
PLAYER TO WATCH: NZ
Piri Weepu: He may be diminutive in height but not in the stature of his performances. He started the tournament as backup scrumhalf to Jimmy Cowan but goes into the final as one of his team’s most important players. He’s likely to lead the Haka, take the opening kick-off and also placekick for the host country. He’s a fiery individual and has illuminated the tournament and deserves his nomination on the shortlist for IRBWorld Player of the Year.
PLAYER TO WATCH: FRANCE
Morgan Parra: A scrumhalf who is converted to outhalf will have to demonstrate the game management skills in a pivotal position. Assuming France do manage some quality possession, he will be charged with dictating the patterns. He can’t simply try and fling the ball wide because it’ll become too predictable. He needs to play right on the gain-line to commit defenders, varying the point of attack using backs and forwards and also discover an unerring kicking game: easy really.
