France good ‘if they turn up’
For just a few seconds Steve Hansen let his guard down and came very, very close to telling us what he really thinks. Certainly if you are the French rugby team, you might just be sitting up and paying attention.
This wasn’t the All Blacks coach dishing out any barbs. Nor any meaningless bouquets. This was the big fella pretty accurately calling it as it is, and setting a decent challenge at the feet of the French while he was at it. We will see in less than a week if they’re up to a response.
The All Blacks were just about to make their Sunday hop under the English Channel to Paris for Sunday’s opening test of this endof-year tour. And their coach was asked whether, when it came to the French, that perhaps you didn’t want to be seduced by the numbers.
The All Blacks have won their last 10 tests on the bounce against France, and 17 of the last 19. Their only two defeats over a span of 20 internationals dating back to 2002 were the infamous 2007 World Cup quarterfinal upset in Cardiff (20-18) and a 27-22 stumble at Carisbrook two years later.
Since then the New Zealanders have owned a rivalry that has had some special moments in the past, but too few in recent times. Of course Les Bleus proved such gallant World Cup finalists in 2011 when they were unlucky to go down 8-7 to the All Blacks, though rather undid that four years later when they were thumped 62-13 in the ‘‘deja-vu’’ quarterfinal in Cardiff.
‘‘It depends how they turn up,’’ declared Hansen from London before heading to catch the Eurostar train. ‘‘If they turn up to play they’re a very, very good side. But if they don’t they become vulnerable.
‘‘They’re working hard. I know there’s a lot of pressure on their coaches at the moment to get some results, so that will make them dangerous.’’
Hansen’s right, of course, even if he did threaten to break one of test rugby’s unofficial commandments that you always talk up the opposition as the second coming of the Messiah in a pair of footy boots.
Experienced lock Luke Romano, though, was more than happy to play that role.
‘‘I played them three times in
2013 (in New Zealand), and it was torrid,’’ said Romano who is locked in a three-way battle for one second-row spot alongside Sam Whitelock. ’’There were banged up bodies left, right and centre. It was very physical and they really took it to us.
(For the record, New Zealand swept that series 3-0, winning
23-13, 30-0 and 24-9).
‘‘It’s certainly something we have to expect. That’s the way the French have always played. On the other hand they’ve got that flair as well. They’re not afraid to have a crack.
‘‘Any test match is tough, but playing at their home ground makes it that little bit tougher.’’
Sure. The All Blacks have won their last six tests in France, four of which were at their so-called Parisian stronghold.
Hansen will restore his big guns en masse this week, though may have a call to make on the wing if Rieko Ioane doesn’t recover from his dose of mumps (you ready Seta Tamanivalu?). It will also be interesting to see if Scott Barrett retains his starting lock spot from Brisbane, or if Romano or Pat Tuipulotu get a look.
But the very reason Hansen has nursed some senior players through the last month or so, has been about leaving some gas in the tank for a tour they’re refusing to dub ‘‘end of year’’ because of the foot-on-the-plane connotations.
‘‘We’ve tried some different things and the guys are fresh and excited about this northern tour, and know they’ve got a job on their hands. We probably haven’t been as consistent with our rugby as we would like, so this is about building some consistency into our performance.’’
Hansen says ‘‘the big boys’’ will be back this week and he expects reward for that rest he’s dished out. ‘‘I hope so, otherwise we’ve wasted our time doing it.’’