France not a grudge match say All Blacks

By MARC HINTON in Marseille - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 13:44 23/11/2009

All Blacks trounce England


LAWRENCE SMITH/Fairfax Media
NO GRUDGE: Assistant coach Steve Hansen says there is no extra edge to Saturday night's final test of the year.
Related Links
Slideshow: All Blacks v England All Blacks not yet complete package
The All Blacks have arrived in Marseille and have immediately hosed down talk of Saturday's test at the Stade Velodrome being a "grudge match".
Assistant coach Steve Hansen spoke to the New Zealand media shortly after arriving at their hotel on Sunday evening (local time) and told us there was no extra edge to Saturday night's final test of the year, despite the rather compelling storylines.
"They're one of the top sides in the world, and anybody involved in the game likes to play the top teams. But, no [it's not a grudge match], it's just another good side to play. The venues you normally play them in are outstanding, and it's just an enjoyable occasion."
But Hansen is probably just looking to avoid hyping the clash any more than it already will be, with media billing it the "Battle of the Hemispheres" as the form - and unbeaten -- teams from north and south clash on the final weekend of the autumn test series.
Key senior All Blacks Dan Carter and Mils Muliaina have both labelled the showdown the side's "defining" test of the year. In other words, win and the New Zealanders can reflect on a pretty satisfying conclusion to a tough year. Lose, and a fifth defeat for the annum doesn't bear thinking about.
Let's face it, when the All Blacks meet the French there's always a bit on it. They were, after all, the team who sent them crashing out of the World Cup in 1999 and 2007.
Marc Lievremont's side also split a highly competitive June series with the All Blacks, inflicting a rare home defeat in Dunedin.
Hansen said that June stalemate, rather that fanciful notions of World Cup revenge, were the main motivating factors for the All Blacks this weekend.
"We see it as we've played them twice already this year and it's one-all," said the All Blacks backs coach. "We know it's going to be a big occasion, they're playing well, they beat South Africa a couple of weeks ago and now it's our turn to front up. Marseille will be pumping and hopefully so will we."
But Hansen hinted at the excitement in the camp when he said it wouldn't be difficult to cajole one last big effort in their final test of the year.
"There are not too many times you get the opportunity to play an opponent that's beaten you during the year... it is the last test match of what's been a long year, but we've got the opportunity to do something other southern hemisphere teams haven't done, and try to go undefeated."
In terms of the twin June matchups, Hansen said: "They put a lot of pressure on us. Their line speed was very good and they were very physical in Dunedin. But as you remember we probably had about eight or nine leaders out that game, and it was a shock for some of the guys coming out of Super 14 into test rugby.
"Those guys have gone away and learnt, and they're more experienced now. Plus, we've got a lot of the leaders back, so it will be a different kettle of fish here."
It was also interesting to hear Hansen's theory on the All Blacks' continuing attacking struggles, and whether they had to lift their game there. They've managed just one try in each of their last three tests.
"I don't know if we have to lift it, we've just got to get more reward from it," he said, very much adopting the glass half-full view. "Our attacking game at the weekend was as good as it's been for a long time, we just didn't get any reward, and we haven't had many rewards the whole tour.
"I don't know how many times they've gone upstairs and we've not been given the nod there or we've just been one pass short of scoring. That will come though. If you keep knocking on the door somebody's going to eventually let you in."
There was also a not so subtle attempt to put some pressure on the French when Hansen was asked whether he though Lievremont was building something special.
"They've certainly got some quality players, but as we've found out it's not about building something, it's about what you've got right at the moment. So the expectation is we play well, and I guess the same is on them now."
The All Blacks arrived into Marseille with a fully fit squad, with no major strains picked up out of the bruising encounter against England, won 19-6.
Selection wise it will be the strongest possible team sent out on Saturday, befitting the test's billing. That will see Neemia Tialata return at tighthead prop and possibly Cory Jane for Zac Guildford on the right wing.
But as Hansen spoke about the "experienced" guys getting another run and not dismissing "one or two changes" he indicated that the wing was one of their chief puzzlers. "
"Who's our top two wingers?" he asked. "The two boys on Saturday played really well, and there have been guys who played well prior to that. There are some headaches there selection wise but they're good headaches."