All Blacks have points to prove
IT’S the All Blacks v France, so anything can happen, right?
Actually, not so right. That might have been true once, but the record book suggests Steve Hansen’s world champions should kick off their November test schedule with a victory at Stade de France today.
The All Blacks have, after all, won their last 10 straight against France, and 17 of their last 19.
Throw in a green French lineup (said to be down 19 injured contenders) with four debutants, a backline bereft of experience and a halves combination with just three tests between them and you can understand why pessimism has abounded among the home media corps this week.
Here, then, are five chief talking points for the All Blacks heading into what they hope will be a bounceback test victory after their Brisbane debacle. BIG CHANCE FOR NAHOLO
Waisake Naholo is coming to the end of his third season as an All Black, but chances have not exactly abounded for the flyer.
But they are about to. The 26-year-old world-class finisher will likely get three straight test starts to round out his year, and this is his big chance to remind Hansen of his class, and ability to perform in the big arena.
He would be wise to make the most of this opportunity, starting in this test, because there is a heap of talent to come back into the back three. CAN FIFITA FIRE?
This test is also a big chance for Vaea Fifita in the No 6 jersey, and probably an unexpected one with Liam Squire picking up an illness this week.
The All Blacks’ coaches have not hesitated in labelling it Fifita’s biggest test to date (he has played only three), not so much because he’s under any pressure for his spot in the squad, but because it’s a great chance for him to prove he belongs at the highest level of the game.
There is no doubting the 25-year-old’s athleticism or potential. But he has looked decidedly raw in his first season of test footy.
Yes, he can run like a back. But can he tackle, hit rucks and carry in tight like a No 6? Let’s see. BETTER THAN BRISBANE
The All Blacks’ last test outing was a shocker, going down to the Wallabies in Brisbane in a sloppy performance where they looked a little like they turned up just expecting to win.
We need to see a bounceback factor this test. We need to see more urgency. A more coherent game-plan. And better decisionmaking and execution.
The forecast is for rain in Paris on game day. So, again, can the All Blacks factor the conditions into their style? They are playing a French team that is inexperienced and down on confidence. They must not let them build hope and belief.
The All Blacks have had three weeks to stew on Brisbane, and this will be their response. You would like to think it will be an emphatic one.
Already this year they have lost twice. Another defeat on this tour would morph an average sort of year into a decidedly poor one. STATEMENT TIME
If there are two All Blacks who seem to inspire more than their fair share of critics they are probably Beauden Barrett and Sonny Bill Williams. Both, at their best, are world-class operators, though both have spent a little bit of time this season just under their own personally high standards.
A firing Barrett is without peer GETTY IMAGES in the modern game. He has vision, speed, a superb tactical kicking game, is robust, a decent tackler and his instincts are unmatched. You get the feeling that one breakout would have him back in the groove.
Williams has been solid defensively this season, but hasn’t got things flowing on attack. The midfield have been more shifters than line-breakers. WHICH FRENCH SHOWS UP?
For the sake of the match, you hope the good one. But there has to be major doubts. They have a tonne of injuries, and coach Guy Noves sends out a pretty inexperienced lineup, including a raw halves combination of 20-year-old Antoine Dupont and 21-year-old Anthony Belleau.
Five of the French backline have had five tests or fewer and two of their pack are making their test debuts (as well as Belleau and midfielder Geoffrey Doumayrou). Remember they’ve only won two of their last 19 tests against the All Blacks, and you have to think that a positive start is a necessity.
But sometimes, just sometimes, the French can find order in chaos. It’s the one thing that will make the All Blacks just a little wary heading into this one. That and the Armistice Day factor. TEAM
Having thrashed Canada 51-9 in Vancouver the previous weekend, the Ma¯ori, even when taking the jetlag and travel into account, would have fancied their chances of a victory in front of 30,000 vocal French fans at Stade Chaban-Delmas.
Instead the encounter, which involved multiple incidents involving both sets of forwards engaging in the dare-you-tothrow-the-first-punch ritual, made for a tough watch until Japanese ref Shuhei Kubo livened things up in the final quarter.
Ma¯ori first five-eighth Jackson Garden-Bachop, who was replaced by Ihaia West midway through the second half, didn’t have a great night. The former had a kick charged down, which led to a try to Baabaas flanker Baptiste Chouzenoux, and some of his punting in general play wasn’t accurate.
A yellow card against Ma¯ori lock Jordan Manihera for cleaning out a loitering Frenchman at the back of a ruck was harsh, but it was also indicative of the need to stay disciplined. In his absence the Baabaas extended their lead to 19-8 after 60 minutes.
Upon his return Manihera played a pivotal role in a move off a lineout, leading to a strong run by Sean Polwart, who was felled by a high shot from Antoine Tichit. The latter was yellowcarded and the Ma¯ori were awarded a penalty try.