Henry: Taking nothing for granted
The All Blacks may be overwhelming favourites for Sunday's World Cup final but New Zealand coach Graham Henry isn't getting complacent.
The only team to lose two pool games and still qualify for the quarter-finals, France bounced back from a woeful defeat at the hands of Tonga to beat England 19-12 in the last eight and then Wales 9-8 in Saturday's semi-final.
While many are predicting Marc Lièvremont's men to finally come unstuck against the All Blacks, Henry insists that the French are dangerous opponents.
"It's very important we come down," he said. "It was a huge game (against Australia) on the weekend - we can't stay up there.
"We've got to come down, get to base again, have a clean sheet of paper and build again for this Test match on Sunday against the French.
"Although they didn't play particularly well in their semi-final, we know they've got the ability to play outstandingly, and they have done that in the past.
"The French team, they can be the best in the world on their day.
"The All Blacks have had some great Test matches against the French during the last eight years, starting with that Paris Test in 2004 (New Zealand won 45-6).
"It was a game that put a lot of these young guys on the map, and a lot of them now have played 70, 80, 100 games for the All Blacks.
"But in 2007, after beating the French by 50 points or thereabouts in a game prior to that, we got beaten by them in the (World Cup) quarter-final. That's the reality.
"There is history in All Black-France Rugby World Cup games. Outside of that, apart from a Test in Dunedin, I think we've won every game.
"So we've won every game in France and lost one game at home over the last eight years to the French, and lost a World Cup quarter-final, which was the most bizarre game that I've ever been involved in.
"There is a lot of history there. The boys respect the French team, they've got a lot of very talented players and it will be a good final."
Having seen his side complete an impressive 20-6 semi-final victory over Australia on Sunday, Henry was understandably a happy man.
"It was a pretty heroic performance and everyone contributed to that. There was a real edge to everybody's game," he said.
"The Australians are a very good side, and they've got players who can cut you to pieces. They've got world class players in the backs, particularly.
"If you give them a chance, give them some space, they can take advantage of that, cut you to pieces and win rugby games against the odds."
Comments
tweedledee49 says...
@Bokvandam no matter happens, ur team still got eliminated before AUS and NZ. Oh and according IRB standings, they both still ahead of SA. suck it up buddy and remember this....FOUR MORE YEARS!!!! haha
Posted 08:52 20th October 2011
abfixit says...
The ABs and coaches have the utmost respect for France. Nobody in their right mind will even think that.
Go All Blacks. All the best.
Posted 12:14 18th October 2011
BradS says...
Because every logical and rational analysis of this game suggests an easy Allblack victory; I'm inclined to tip France by 6 hahaha
Seeing the Allblacks fans celebrate their win over us last week, I couldn't help but think that this might have the unfortunate side effect of providing motivation for France. Hearing that Lievremont is not going to let them spend the whole week celebrating their win over Wales, they should at least be well prepared unlike 99'.
I'm really finding it difficult to believe what Henry is saying about being complacent, simply because of the respect they showed to us last week - it was as if the semi final was the real final (have they peaked a week early?????).
It seems like just the sort of ironic twist this world cup is sure to end on.
If the ABs win by 60 though, I won't be surprised lol
Good luck both teams! It would be nice to see our friends from across the ditch win one, but France has also played some great rugby (not necessarily at this rwc but certainly at other world cups) and would be a deserved winner too!
Posted 11:53 18th October 2011
caramba13 says...
Henry gives Australia far too much credit. They were very average. France will not miss tackles, nor will they miss their place kicks.
Guy Novès says (in this morning's paper in Toulouse) that France can win if they put a couple of scores on the ABs early on and get those old demons coming to the surface. Wishful thinking?
Posted 07:34 18th October 2011
wfgwoody says...
Have not lost on Eden park for 17 years. Austrialia (2nd Ranked in the World) never looked like a real threat on Sunday. I know the history......but really, that french side would have to play the percect game and have all the luck to pull it off this weekend. Could they win? Sure..anything thing is posssible on the day. But anyone that follows rugby would have to see this as as close to a forgone conclusion as any WCF has ever been. Sad but true. All Blacks by 24.
Posted 07:21 18th October 2011
brands says...
@ BokVanDam
very average, so average thats why we are in the final, were is you team? tucking into some fried chicken no doubt, man you really are a goose, i like reading your bitter posts, shows what a tard you are hahahahahahaha 4 more years saffa!
Posted 06:11 18th October 2011
jmanngod says...
haha BokVanDumb...give it a rest man. You lost - get over it!
Posted 06:11 18th October 2011
pagra says...
The French are in such a "malaise" that it may seem certain that NZ will take the crown. But given the history between these two one never knows. I can see where Henry`s wariness comes from.
Posted 00:04 18th October 2011
RobinMasters says...
According to the records, Australia should have walked over Ireland, France should have crushed Tonga, but they should have lost against England and then against Wales...
"Rugby is a game the All Blacks always win at, but sometimes we beat them." (JP Rives)
The French chances of winning the final must be 10% or so, but what if they take them, unlike they have done so far?
The underdog jersey could be the spoiled brats' favourite.
Posted 22:00 17th October 2011
NHsaints says...
Thing that held france back in the group stage against nz was parra only just moving to 10 (he got alot of pressure from carter) and that meant the backs looked lost and slow, this french team will provide a real power struggle up front and as we've seen (against england and wales) that if you give them any chance to get on top (however small) they can put the points on the board and they can close out big games, combine that to possible forward dominance and we might have an interesting game on our hands...
Posted 21:12 17th October 2011
jmanngod says...
not too late too choke! C'mon the Dark Side!
Posted 20:45 17th October 2011
scollins says...
If the AB's play like they did yesterday, nobody on earth will beat them in the final....The French can be great but can anybody honestly see them beating this AB's side? The AB's were outstanding yesterday and more so that was probably the best performance Ive ever seen from a rugby team.Oh and i'm a Bok supporter
Posted 20:12 17th October 2011
golden_stateNBA says...
I don't think any of us AB supporters will ever underestimate France no matter how bad they have been.
"There's an old saying in Auckland ¿ I know it's in Wellington, probably in Auckland ¿ that says, fool me once, shame on ¿ shame on you. Fool me ¿ you can't get fooled again."
Posted 20:10 17th October 2011
BokVanDam says...
France mustn't overestimate the All Pacific. They are average without Carter. Les Bleus by 10
Posted 19:10 17th October 2011
Roger999 says...
The AB beat a very poor Australia, who was outclassed by an ageing Ireland.
France all the way.
AAAAAAAALLLLLLLLEEEEEEEZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 19:02 17th October 2011