We’ll do it our way, say Les Bleus seeking another All Blacks upset

NEWPORT: France have a history of upsetting the All Blacks at Rugby World Cups, but they will not be dwelling on former glories when they take on New Zealand in Saturday’s quarterfinal.

Les Bleus famously beat New Zealand 43-31 in the 1999 semifinals and 20-18 in the 2007 quarter-finals. They then came agonisingly close in the 20011 final, losing by a single point in Auckland.

Though the French will take inspiration from the way their unfancied predecessors came from behind in both of those triumphs, the current crop of players insist they will do it their way when they take the field at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

“It’s been done, so it’s doable, but its another story (on Saturday),” flanker Damien Chouly told reporters on Tuesday.

In the 2007 quarterfinal France wore red, white or blue shirt to form a French flag while the All Blacks performed the Haka. Be- fore the 2011 final they formed an arrow as New Zealand began their traditional Maori challenge.

“Every team have their history. Four years ago they did something; we don’t have to do something, too,” scrumhalf Se- bastien Tillous-Borde said.

“1999, 2007; it was different. We will have to create our own history on Saturday.”

Whatever the approach, France will again face the All Blacks as underdogs, particularly after Sun- day’s dismal 24-9 defeat in the Pool D decider against Ireland.

The French, starved of the ball as Ireland dominated the breakdown, spent much of the game defending before cracking in the final 15 minutes.

With the side having shown little to suggest they can pose a serious threat to the defending champions this time, utility back Brice Dulin urged his team mates to let if flow in the quarter-final.

“We can’t only defend, we must try things, we must not be minimalists,” he said.

If they do that, who’s to say that France’s notorious stubborn streak and ability to turn on the style when least expected won’t bring another famous victory over the All Blacks?

“As a Frenchman, it’s never good to be the favourite,” coach Philippe Saint-Andre said on Monday. “We’ll have to show our greatest match. For several players, it will be the game of their lives.”