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France `honoured` to face RWC hosts

Wednesday 03rd December 2008

Welcome to the World Cup: France's clash with New Zealand in 2011 won't be so friendly

As things stand at the moment, the All Blacks must be clear favourites to finally win the World Cup on home soil - but the draw for 2011 has thrown a cat amongst the pigeons: New Zealand's unlucky black cat, France share Pool one with the hosts.

No one in New Zealand needs reminding of the fact that twice France have put paid to the All Blacks' World Cup hopes. Losses to the French underdogs in the semi finals of 1999 and 2007 will never be forgotten.

Another Tri-Nations title followed by a Grand Slam tour of the North will do little to effect the perception that France are the All Blacks' bogey team, but the French are not counting their chickens before they hatch.

"We've been given a difficult draw, but when I look at the other pools, I don't see any that are really easy," France Head Coach Marc Li�vremont told Le Site.

"What appears difficult is playing New Zealand. It's an honour to be playing in the opening match. We know what awaits us.

"We need to look beyond the first match and continue in a pool that looks to be within our means, even if a team like Tonga, who are very unpredictable and who will practically be playing at home, remains a challenge.

"(In the quarter finals, we'll face one of the teams from pool B, England or Argentina, which seems doable. We'll have the hosts again in an eventual final. As a whole, I'm not unhappy with this draw. It could have been worse."

The fact that France was not one of the top tier nations for the draw does not bother Li�vremont, in fact it might have worked in their favour - but who knows considering the tournament is three years away.

"Look at South Africa, who are world champions but get a particularly difficult group with Wales, Fiji and certainly Samoa. That's a big group," he said.

"But it's all still so far away. It's hard to know what level the teams will be at in three years. We're going to progress. The French team has a huge margin for progression in the future. Obviously, we have a lot of respect for New Zealand. It's up to us to makes sure that in three years that respect is shared."

"It's a special match in the context of the World Cup. Everyone speaks of revenge but remember that we'll play them twice this summer and no doubt again before 2011. It's always and enjoyable game.

"The opening match against the hosts, considering the exceptional expectations of the New Zealand public, will be a great moment to live through.

No one knows more about the expectations of the Kiwi public than All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, who knows the kind of pressure that awaits his side.

"I'm sure that a lot is going to be said about the history of the matches between New Zealand and France in the World Cup," said McCaw in anticipation.

No doubt victory over France in the final would be the sweetest revenge imaginable. Rendez-vous in three years.