All Blacks wary of history lesson
Nine years ago, on a chilly winter’s night in Dunedin, the French poleaxed the All Blacks.
Like the decrepit Carisbrook, the now-defunct concrete stadium where that test was played, the crumbling All Blacks lost their swagger as Les Bleus outscored them three tries to two to secure an upset 27-22 victory.
Reduced in firepower and with skipper Richie McCaw unavailable due to injury, the New Zealanders relied on fullback Mils Muliaina to direct them over the barricades towards a French side led by flanker Thierry Dusautoir.
Some paying customers, probably fuelled by a combination of too much booze, disappointment and anger as they observed the jubilant Frenchmen, responded by throwing plastic bottles into their midst.
It wasn’t the most memorable occasion if you were an All Blacks supporter.
New Zealanders’ upside down smiles were to be reversed the following weekend when the All Blacks eked out a scratchy win to level the two-match series in Wellington, and better news was to follow in the ensuing years.
Although this is France’s fourth visit to New Zealand since that famous victory in 2009, it’s the first time they have returned to play the All Blacks in the southern city.
Warnings about the French being an unpredictable, dangerous gang are often aired, with references to shock defeats at the 2007 and 1999 World Cups almost inevitable, but it is hard to see them avoiding a 3-0 series whitewash at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.
Yes, the All Blacks were, at times, almost in disarray in Wellington last weekend. A repeat of that shambles seems unlikely.
Despite a 26-13 win over an opponent reduced to 14 men for almost 70 minutes, the All Blacks were hammered for their shonky defence, clueless kicking and sloppy execution.
Lots of meat on the bone, then, come the Monday review.
‘‘Last Saturday’s game, I consider it to be a gift because it was such a learning opportunity,’’ All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said. ‘‘From what I have seen so far [this week] a lot of that learning has been taken up. Again, we will get further proof of that after the performance.’’
The French, despite being unable to keep the series alive, were slathered with praise for their valour and determination in the wake of Benjamin Fall’s red card.
All of this brings us to the dead rubber. Such games can be lame ducks, but Hansen has approved enough changes to ensure the armchair critics had best be loaded up with buckets of popcorn. Because there will be plenty to discuss.
There should be apprehension and a frisson of excitement among the All Blacks. This is new territory with Damian McKenzie in the main director’s chair, a fresh midfield in Sonny Bill Williams and Jack Goodhue, and Shannon Frizell earning his first cap at No 6.
French coach Jacques Brunel has made two changes, both to the midfield. Captain and centre Mathieu Bastareaud has been replaced by Wesley Fofana, who will start alongside Remi Lamerat. Halfback Morgan Parra takes over as skipper.
This indicates France will want to play with speed and accuracy.
‘‘It’s interesting – they have not picked the captain,’’ was Hansen’s reaction. ‘‘But they have obviously got a plan there. The two guys they have put in the midfield aren’t bad, though.
‘‘They are world-class players. They will be quicker. I wouldn’t say they are better rugby players but they played a different style of rugby than he [Bastareaud] does, which would probably indicate they want to run the ball a bit.’’